Manufacturing Careers

Training workers for today's smart factories and Industry 4.0.

With the increasing calls for the on-shoring of American jobs in manufacturing, Elgin Community College is developing programs and building facilities to train workers for today's smart factory and the broader Industry 4.0 initiative.

ECC prepares you for a global manufacturing career, offering flexibility and community connections. With shorter, stackable credentials and upskilling programs, you can incrementally build skills and stay relevant in the workforce. ECC adapts to industry changes, ensuring a skilled workforce. Our advanced technology integration meets evolving community needs, incorporating essential skills like data analysis, programming, problem-solving, and project management. Programs also include collaborative projects, team assignments, and communication exercises to align with employers' expectations.

ECC can help you enter the workforce more quickly or continue your education while working. By adapting to the changing demands of the manufacturing sector, community colleges can play a pivotal role in preparing a skilled and adaptable workforce that drives the industry forward.

Did you know?

Elgin Community College is breaking new ground by constructing a 150,000 sq ft manufacturing and technology center, scheduled for occupancy in 2026. This center will reinforce the college's commitment to manufacturing in the region, provide a rich educational and training experience, and prepare the workforce for the future. ECC's health facility offers practical experience in a controlled environment, allowing students to refine their clinical skills on campus, including highly sought-after skills in mechatronics. Mechatronics combines mechanical elements, electronic components, and computer control to create functional and intelligent systems. Come to ECC to experience the excitement and opportunities this new center will provide and be part of shaping the future of manufacturing and technology.

Degree Programs

Computer-Aided Design
Computer Information Systems
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
Energy Management
Energy Management – Renewable Energy
Heating, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration

Industrial Manufacturing Technology
IST/Maintenance Technology
Machine Tool Technology
Supply Chain Management
Welding Fabrication Technology

Certificate Programs

Arc Welding
AutoCAD
Automated Electronic Systems
CNC Operator
CNC Programmer
Computer-Aided Design
Computer Integrated Manufacturing
CREO
Energy Management
Energy Management – Renewable Energy
HVAC Facilities Maintenance Tech
Industrial Maintenance

Light Commercial HVAC Service Tech
Machine Tool Operations
MIG Welding
Mold Making
Refrigeration Service Technician
Residential HVAC Service Technician
Residential HVAC Systems
Sheet Metal Mechanics
SolidWorks
Supply Chain Logistics Specialist
Tool and Die Making
Welding

Plan of Study and Course Descriptions

Please refer to the ECC catalog for program details and course descriptions.

ECC Catalog

Can I pursue a degree apprenticeship combo at ECC?

Elgin Community College partners with local businesses to offer apprenticeships, enabling individuals to support their college education and gain valuable work experience financially. If you're interested in a career in CNC Machining, Industrial Maintenance Technology, or HVAC, fill out our form, and our apprenticeship coordinator will contact you to explore possibilities. ECC is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Apprenticeship Training for the supplemental instruction portion of local industry apprenticeship programs. Our Energy Management programs are endorsed by the National Association of Stationary Operating Engineers (NASOE).

What career opportunities are available for individuals with expertise in manufacturing technology?

Manufacturing technology involves using tools, machinery, and processes to transform raw materials into finished products on an industrial scale. When you study at ECC, you’ll have industrial engineering and technology expertise with many different career paths. Look for engineering, production management, quality assurance, industrial automation, welding, and supply chain management roles.

What are ECC’s facilities like?

We offer in-person and hybrid manufacturing programs to accommodate your diverse schedules and learning preferences. Experienced instructors conduct classroom lectures to cover theoretical concepts and oversee in-person labs and workshops to provide hands-on training so you’ll be ready to work in various industries, including manufacturing, automotive systems, aerospace, medical devices, consumer electronics, and more.

Register for a campus tour today!

Tour our beautiful campus and explore programs, student resources, and academic spaces. Tours are offered every other Wednesday at 4 pm, led by a friendly student ambassador or admissions staff member.

In-Person Campus Tours

A caring community where you belong.

Instructor with student going over manufacturing motor controls — You’ll find the only Mechatronics trainer in the area at ECC. Added in 2023 as part of our maintenance technology program, you’ll get hands-on experience in automation and robotics, troubleshooting, and programming for highly technical industrial engineering careers. The future of manufacturing is already here at ECC. Pair your education with an apprenticeship, and you’ll be a highly skilled technician who understands the basics of hydraulics, pneumatics, and electrical - skills that set you apart and be ready to work in an Industry 4.0 facility where smart technologies are used to optimize and enhance the entire manufacturing process. Use the link below to visit our Motor Control Lab using our virtual tour.

Student at a CNC machine — We're committed to providing our students with cutting-edge and advanced equipment for training. Our manufacturing programs are the only ones in community colleges with multi-access CNC machines, crucial in precision-demanding industries. You'll get hands-on experience with various machines, including 3- and 5-axis HAAS machines and 7- and 9-axis SWISS machines. Use the link below to visit our CND Lab using our virtual tour.

Student with instructor in front of an electrical panel — Our new shipping container solar array moves ECC into the solar panel photovoltaic education and training, representing sustainability. Helps to upskill or retrain existing HVAC technicians looking at ways to provide added value to their customers. Students will build the device for placement within the new manufacturing and technology center. Use the link below to visit our Energy classrooms using our virtual tour.

two students fixing a motor drive on a machine — Student-focused instructors create a collaborative classroom where they share the real-world applications of their curriculum. By incorporating practical, real-world applications into our programs, we strive beyond traditional education, providing our students a distinct advantage in the job market. This commitment to relevance and practicality ensures that our graduates excel in their chosen fields and contribute meaningfully to the evolving landscape of their industries. Use the link below to visit our classrooms using our virtual tour.

Student with a 3-D printer — With a deliberate focus on enhancing employability skills, our programs are designed to make our students highly sought after in the competitive marketplace. A prime example is our newly introduced CAD certificate, which integrates 3D printing technology into the curriculum. This innovative addition closely aligns with the manufacturing sector, equipping students with cutting-edge skills that directly respond to industry needs. Use the link below to visit our CAD lab using our virtual tour.

Person standing next to light fixtures. — ECC's CAD, CNC Machining, Industrial Maintenance Technology, and HVAC programs offer students a direct link to employers, free tuition, and guaranteed job placement. The apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with classroom courses at ECC, providing practical experience alongside formal education. Several students join a company as apprentices each year, kicked off by the apprenticeship signing event like the one pictured here.

Group of students with a handcart listening to instructor. — This personalized approach to education ensures that students feel valued, supported, and empowered to achieve their academic goals.

Students gathered around welding instructor using torch to cut metal — Elgin Community College prepares individuals for this evolving landscape through its curriculum, aligning education with the demand for skilled workers in the resurging U.S. manufacturing sector. Our development of mold-making courses brings crucial skilled trades to the Midwest, aligning education with the demand for specialized skills in the resurging U.S. manufacturing sector. Use the link below to visit our student life areas using our virtual tour.

Student and instructor standing in front of a machine — The recent success of an ECC student at the Daytona Int’l Speedway – WKA/Margay Ignite Challenge in December 2020 showcased the importance of teamwork. While preparing for the race, the student required assistance in translating complex industry drawings into a CNC program. Collaborating with students in welding and manufacturing, they developed crucial foot/heel supports for the kart, applying classroom concepts and tools to real-world scenarios. Additionally, they collaborated on an interdisciplinary project to create purge blocks, essential for delicate material joining, benefiting both IMT and welding students.

Two students talking on campus — More than just a place to learn a trade, Elgin Community College is a vibrant community where students enjoy spending time with athletic teams, extracurricular activities, and student events where you can meet friends. Use the link below to visit our student life areas using our virtual tour.

ECC in the News

ECC student Simone Tetzlaff found an apprenticeship key in her manufacturing career goals

Academics

Published 07/07/2021

Gearing up for manufacturing growth

Elgin Community College is gearing up for manufacturing growth. ECC is planning on developing a new manufacturing education and training center.

Read Article

Professor Umberto Tinajero and student Steven Spicer stand in front of Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Machine

Academics | Accomplishment | Student Profile

Published 10/29/2021

IMT Program collaborations help student Steven Spicer excel in new career path

Elgin Community College student Steven Spicer entered ECC’s Industrial Manufacturing Technology (IMT) Program without any knowledge of the craft, coming from a background in construction and working odd jobs to support himself and his two children. After deciding to move onto a new trade, he discovered Computer Numerical Control (CNC), which led him to ECC.

Read Article

ECC students and SkillsUSA 2023 Welding Fabrication team Joshua Palmer, Meralia Gomez, and Colin Dameron

Academics | Accomplishment

Published 05/30/2023

ECC students place at SkillsUSA Illinois State Championship

Elgin Community College career and technical students traveled to Peoria, Illinois, to compete in the SkillsUSA State Leadership and Skills Conference on April 29-30.

Read Article

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Admissions & Recruitment

Building B, Room B110
847-214-7385
Fax: 847-608-5458
admissions@elgin.edu

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Fridays: 8 am to 4 pm

*Bilingual Admissions Coordinator: 847-214-7689

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Career and Technical Education Programs

Building O, Room O125
847-214-7900