Workforce & Education

The Greater Springfield area offers a wide array of educational and job-training resources. Seventy-one public and thirty-one private schools prepare young people for further study at the college or university level, vocational training centers, or for direct entry into the workforce. To support the connection between a quality education and a productive workforce, the Chamber was instrumental in the development of the Business Education Partnership, which is charged with working integrating the business and educational communities to support economic development in Sangamon County.

Primary Education:
The primary community unit school district in the greater Springfield area is the Springfield CUSD #186. Springfield public schools serve 15,000 students, while enrollment for Sangamon County schools during the 2002 - 2003 school year was 33,885; resulting in employment of 2,468 educators. A more complete listing of primary schools, including private and specialty schools can be found in our Educational Opportunities publication.

The Business Education Partnership and the Continuum of Learning has put together A Local Guide to Financial Aid Resources for high school students.

The Capital Area Career Center hosts students from 27 central Illinois public school districts, providing career and technical training. Students may gain marketable skills, earn credits toward both high school graduation and receive college level credit in the process. Students may select from 20 educational/technical training programs.

Lincoln Land Community College is comprised of all or part of 15 counties in central and central southern Illinois and covers 4,115 square miles. Classes are offered during days, evenings, and weekends at various locations.

Robert Morris College offers a variety of two and four year degrees as well as a diversity of programs and activities to enrich the college experience.

Springfield College in Illinois, in partnership with Benedictine University, is the first four-year, faith-based institution in the state's capital to offer both associates in arts and baccalaureate degrees.

University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) is one of three campuses of the University of Illinois. Located on 746 acres on the southeast side of Springfield, the campus marked its 30th anniversary in 2000. UIS is a comprehensive university, enrolling first-year students through those seeking a doctorate. More than 4,500 students are enrolled in 44 degree-granting, academic and professional.

School	Location	Enrollment	Program
Blackburn College	Carlinville	600	Four-Year
Illinois College	Jacksonville	964	Four-Year
Lincoln Christian College	Lincoln	772	Four-Year, Graduate
Lincoln College	Lincoln	562	Two-Year
Lincoln Land Community College	Springfield	19,000	Two-Year
MacMurray College	Jacksonville	669	Four-Year
Midwest Technical Institute	Springfield		Technical
Millikin University	Decatur	2,400	Four-Year, Graduate
Richland Community College	Decatur	3,569	Two-Year
Robert Morris College	Springfield	510	Four-Year
St. John's College	Springfield	97	Nursing/Technical
SIU School of Medicine	Springfield	288	Graduate, Technical
Springfield College in Illinois	Springfield	300	Four-Year
University of Illinois at Springfield	Springfield	4,500	Four-Year, Graduate

Labor:
In The following table depicts the Springfield Labor Quality to employers in the region. The Paragon Index, which measures labor quality, was used. Characteristics were measured on a 1 to 10 point scale, 1=poor, 5=average, 10=excellent. Based upon the survey, the overall quality of labor in the Springfield area is among the best in the nation. The Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University conducted this survey as part of a Labor Market Analysis of the Springfield Area