One principle indicator of long-term success within an area is ensuring a robust network of skilled future workers. Our region is host to exceptional school districts that consistently produce an elite class of students. Additionally, the region has convenient access to numerous nearby colleges and universities, community colleges, and vocational training institutions, that ensure there is a ready pool of skilled workers important to a company’s success:

  • Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville offers a diverse student body of more than 14,000, in addition to a 1300-acre technology park for business and industry. Curriculum includes arts and sciences, business, dental medicine, health and human behavior, engineering, nursing, and Pharmacy. The National Corn to Ethanol Center is located on the SIUE campus where private and university research is conducted to help reduce the cost of corn-based fuel. The Center collaborates with notable companies that produce energy such as DuPont, Phillip 66, and Center Ethanol.
  • Lindenwood University-Belleville is a dynamic 4-year liberal arts institution and is known nationally and internationally for its extraordinary dedication to students. They offer 25 undergraduate degree programs featuring many strategic to businesses such as finance, communications, info technology, advertising, and accounting.
  • McKendree University is a private liberal arts college in Lebanon IL near greater St. Louis. McKendree confers degrees from four colleges and schools and offers over 50 undergraduate majors and 45 minors.
  • University of Missouri – St. Louis is home to programs that consistently earn high rankings in their fields. UMSL is the largest university by enrollment (16,809) in St. Louis. Businesses in the logistics sector can benefit from the pool of workers produced by their undergraduate and graduate programs in Transportation Studies, Logistics and Operations Management, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and Operations Management.
  • Saint Louis University is the oldest university west of the Mississippi enrolling over 13,000 students who have access to 90 undergraduate and 100 graduate programs with many ranked best in the nation. Their Supply Chain Management graduate program ranks 13th in the nation for 2017 and they also offer an Integrated Supply Chain Management certificate.
  • Washington University is a private research university in St. Louis made up of seven graduate and undergraduate schools that encourage a broad range of academic fields. 25 Nobel Laureates have been affiliated with WashU. Their School of Business offers degrees in Operations and Supply Chain Management, customer analytics, finance, and accounting.
  • Southwestern Illinois College is the fifth largest community college in Illinois with campuses in Belleville, Granite City, and Red Bud plus 20 off-campus sites throughout the district, including Scott Air Force Base. Offerings include Welding, PLC, Industrial Maintenance Mechanics, and Precision Machining.
  • Kaskaskia College is in Centralia IL and the oldest community college in the state. With over 11,500 students and growing, Kaskaskia College provides accredited degree programs in Arts, Sciences, General Studies, and eighteen other vocational Associate degree programs.
  • Lewis and Clark Community College is a comprehensive two-year community college that serves 20,000 credit and non-credit students annually. With campuses in Godfrey, Edwardsville, East Alton IL. Students can obtain degrees and certificates in fields such as Industrial Technology, Logistics Management, Truck Driver Training, Construction Labor, and Welding Technology.
  • Vatterott College is an accredited career college with locations in southwest Illinois and St. Louis. Program offerings include automotive, trades, medical, business, technology, and legal professions.
  • Ranken Technical College offers comprehensive instruction and hands on experience while using up-to-date technology. Degree programs include fabrication and welding technology, industrial technology, precision machining technology, advanced manufacturing technology, and facilities technology.
  • Career Center of Southern Illinois located in Red Bud Illinois, provides integrated and relevant career and technical education for area high school juniors and seniors. Their capstone job training programs prepare students to successfully enter the working world serving the needs of area employers.