Programmed for Success

Delanie Parker has driven three hours from Iowa to ECC once a week for nearly three years to participate in the college’s maintenance technician apprenticeship. Why the sacrifice?

“I know that I’m going to have the opportunity to provide better for my children than what I’ve been doing,” she said.

Parker is an electrician and mechanic at Smithfield Foods, Inc., in Iowa. Before that, she worked in maintenance and later took a job at a gas station.

In 2021, ECC and Smithfield partnered to offer a maintenance technician apprenticeship program for Smithfield employees. The program provides training at the company’s Bolingbrook, Monmouth, and St. Charles facilities. Participants like Parker are working toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) in integrated systems/maintenance technology (IST) from ECC while gaining hands-on engineering and mechanical experience. 

The tuition-free program includes three years of classroom learning and one year of experience at Smithfield facilities. Apprentices receive an associate degree, state and federal journeyman certifications, and a full-time salary with benefits. ECC’s AAS degree is fully transferable toward a bachelor’s degree at all Illinois state colleges and universities.

With the expansion of manufacturing in the United States, the demand for skilled personnel to install and maintain machinery is growing. As a mother of four who has been out of school for 16 years, Parker initially feared she wouldn’t succeed. Her supervisor encouraged her to apply, especially with Smithfield shifting to robotics and automation — an area where she lacked experience.

Now, Parker has developed an interest in mechatronics. “With more skills, my future looks bright.”

Hands-On Learning

In 2024, ECC became the first and only community college in Illinois to acquire smart factories through a partnership with Amatrol, a global leader in career and technical education training solutions. These systems help students learn how to program industrial computers, which build parts on an assembly line. 

Students like Parker gain experience working with robotic arms and automation systems, learning to troubleshoot, program, and optimize industrial systems. The hands-on experience goes beyond traditional textbook learning, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.

Preparation 

ECC’s commitment to preparing students for the future of manufacturing and automation will expand with its 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center (MTC), which will open in the fall of 2026. The state-of-the-art facility will provide students with advanced resources and opportunities in fields such as industrial maintenance and HVAC.

The introduction of smart factories at ECC is part of a broader push to prepare students for the digital transformation of manufacturing, particularly with the rise of the fourth industrial revolution. With increasing calls to onshore American manufacturing jobs, ECC is training students for in-demand careers.

Expanding Opportunities

In March of 2023, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi presented the college with $936,000 in federal funding for the mechatronics and automation program, one of several new programs to be housed in the MTC, which broke ground last September. 

Parker’s instructor, Mike Marin, who teaches HVAC/IST, emphasized the importance of continuous learning in mechatronics and advanced manufacturing. 

“Technologies and systems are always advancing, and our goal is to prepare students for this ever-evolving landscape,” he said. “Introducing them to the smart factory environment gives them the tools and knowledge they need to be adaptable and successful in the industry.”

Marin is excited about the new MTC because it will give students experience working with advanced systems unhindered by space limitations.

“The new MTC building will allow us to expand our smart factory system,” Marin said. “This expansion will allow us to have more equipment in permanent locations and have separate areas for the louder automation equipment so students can better concentrate in the quieter mechanical areas.”

The additional space and new equipment will introduce more advanced technologies, such as additional robots, which the current space can’t accommodate. Marin emphasizes that this will significantly improve the learning experience for students.

“The expansion gives us more room, newer equipment, and greater capabilities to enhance our students' hands-on learning in advanced manufacturing and automation,” he said.

When given the opportunity to participate in a similar program closer to home, Parker declined.

“Instructor Mike is the reason I wanted to stay at ECC,” Parker said. “He breaks everything down, is super accommodating, and is the best.”

Parker’s journey is proof that with the proper training, support, and determination, it’s possible to reshape your future — no matter the distance. Although Parker began the program with hesitation, her confidence has grown. She isn’t sure what’s next but knows the new skills she’s learning will take her further than she ever imagined.

As ECC continues to invest in cutting-edge technology and workforce development, students like Parker are building the skills they need to thrive in an evolving industry and create better lives for themselves and their families.

Read the entire spring 2025 issue of Impact Magazine online here.