Illinois Allocates $20M to Build Joliet Manufacturing Academy

Joliet Junior College will build a new manufacturing training academy after receiving a $20 million grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The state investment covers the construction of a 20,000 square foot facility on the college's Main Campus. This infrastructure will expand training capacity in welding, HVAC, industrial maintenance, and advanced manufacturing workforce programs.

The announcement coincides with a $600 million expansion by Hyundai Translead in Will County. The automaker projects the expansion will generate 3,750 full-time jobs. The college stated that the new academy will help meet the skilled labor requirements for Hyundai Translead and other local manufacturers. Dr. Clyne Namuo, president of JJC, noted that the investment will open doors to careers and prepare the workforce needed for the region's industrial growth.

Joliet Junior College has a history of career and technical education, currently maintaining partnerships with more than 100 employers. These relationships allow the college to align its training curricula with specific regional workforce needs. The new academy will serve as a centralized hub for these technical programs, increasing the number of students the institution can prepare for entry-level and advanced roles in the manufacturing sector.

Gov. JB Pritzker described the job creation from the Hyundai expansion as a major boost for the region. He stated that the state is using this investment to expand advanced manufacturing training opportunities for Illinois residents. The governor emphasized that the academy supports the state's goal of bolstering its manufacturing workforce.

Construction on the new facility is scheduled to begin in April 2027 and finish in June 2028. The college plans to launch its programs in August 2028. Media inquiries regarding the project are handled by Katherine Smith, the communications and media manager at Joliet Junior College.