A new regional consortium plans to expand training for careers tied to ports, inland waterways and freight logistics. Illinois Central College and nine other schools across four states are joining forces to develop education pathways for students and workers, with Peoria Mayor Rita Ali among the leaders backing the effort.
Key takeaways
- Ten colleges across Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri are part of the consortium.
- A memorandum of understanding was signed at the Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative’s annual meeting.
- The partnership will focus on workforce preparation for maritime transportation, logistics and related industries.
The effort is intended to help more people access riverway careers, including in rural communities. Organizers also hope to bring additional colleges and training partners into the network.
Training tied to river corridors
The consortium is organized around schools located largely near the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. In Illinois, participating institutions include Illinois Central College, Western Illinois University, Black Hawk College, Carl Sandburg College and John Wood Community College. The other participating schools are in Wisconsin, Iowa and Missouri.
The partnership’s work will address training for jobs connected to river ports and terminals, inland waterways and other freight corridors. The goal is to prepare workers for roles that contribute to the national supply chain. The announcement says new courses are expected to be offered, though it does not detail specific programs or start dates.
Leaders emphasize local opportunity
Ali, who co-chairs the Illinois River Cities and Towns Initiative, said the partnership could give young people access to skills and career options that are not widely known. She also pointed to the potential for residents to find well-paying work while remaining in their regions.
Honey Zimmerman, an assistant professor of supply chain management at Western Illinois University, said the effort is aimed in part at improving rural mobility by helping people learn about and prepare for available careers. Ottawa Mayor Robb Hasty, the initiative’s other co-chair, said the consortium could strengthen connections between river communities and the regional port system.
Federal maritime designation
The consortium has been designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration as a center of excellence for domestic maritime workforce training. Organizers say the designation and partnership could help direct more career seekers toward freight systems such as the Upper Mississippi River and the Illinois River lock-and-dam corridors.
Ali framed the workforce effort as part of a broader goal to strengthen the economic future of riverfront communities. The consortium’s next steps include building out training pathways and seeking additional education partners.
