Published on April 14, 2026

Beginning Fall 2026, Lake Land College is set to introduce a Competency-Based Education (CBE) format in three key manufacturing programs. The CBE format will allow students to build their own class schedules and complete course requirements at their own pace, creating flexible pathways toward high-demand career credentials.

Lake Land’s CBE model prioritizes practical skill application and allows students to learn at their own pace. Rather than following a fixed semester timeline, CBE students spend as little or as much time as necessary on each class topic, advancing once they have demonstrated a mastery of relevant skills.

“The idea behind CBE is that learning can’t always be measured by hours spent in a classroom,” explained Michael Beavers, Electronics Engineering Technology Instructor/Program Coordinator. “In many programs, the best indicator of learning is when a student can take the skills we’re teaching and apply them in real, hands-on exercises.”

The CBE approach is particularly advantageous for experienced, working students. With mastery as the criteria for advancement, students already possessing heightened skillsets will have the opportunity to progress faster than the traditional, full-semester timeline. For students with less experience or in need of greater support, the CBE model allows for more personalized attention and one-on-one instruction.

”The best part of CBE for students is that it’s education tailored to them,” Beavers added. “If you’re coming to us with years of career experience, you’re not going to be spending weeks going over concepts you already know. Likewise, if you need a little more time to get the hang of a certain concept, you’re never at risk of falling behind. Just schedule a bit more lab time and work one-on-one with the instructor. The pace will be different for each student and dictated by their unique needs.”

The CBE format also maximizes flexibility and ensures students can fit education seamlessly alongside work, family and other life commitments. Under Lake Land’s CBE format, students will receive instruction through online modules that can be accessed anywhere. For in-person class requirements and hands-on application, students will schedule a time to work in the College’s FlexTech lab, open and staffed by faculty three days per week, 12 hours per day.

“We know that a lot of students work full time, and it’s not always possible for them to make it to one specific lab time,” Beavers said. “With our FlexTech lab, we’re giving that control to the students. It’s no problem if you work all day, because the lab will be waiting for you once you’re done. If you need to miss a week, then you can always double up the next week. There’s no such thing as not being able to make it to class, because class is whenever you decide.”

The CBE model has gained significant traction in all levels of education across the nation in recent years, with many institutions leveraging the format to achieve stronger student outcomes and increase equity. Lake Land began working toward implementing a CBE format as early as 2023 and introduced the FlexTech lab the following year. Developed with grant support from the Illinois Manufacturing Workforce Ecosystem (IMWE) and the National Science Foundation (NSF), the lab allowed Lake Land to analyze the viability of CBE in select programs and provide a blueprint for similar institutions to implement the model into their own curriculum.

Following a successful research period, Lake Land’s CBE model was officially approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to debut in Fall 2026 under three programs with heavy workforce demand: the Automation Specialist I and Automation Specialist II certificate programs and the Applied Engineering Technology degree program.

The Automation specialist programs provide students with industry-driven credentials recognized by the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA), preparing students for entry-level careers in manufacturing, technology, engineering, logistics and programming. In addition, both certificates count toward the Applied Engineering Technology degree, providing a convenient pathway for students to stack credentials and elevate their careers as they complete degree requirements.

“This approval was a huge milestone in this process, but there’s still plenty to look forward to,” Beavers said. “We’re thrilled to see how CBE makes an impact for students in these programs this fall, and we hope it sets the stage for the model to be implemented in many more programs in the future.”

Lake Land College’s Automation Specialist I, Automation Specialist II and Applied Engineering Technology programs are now enrolling for the Fall 2026 semester. To get started, visit the Lake Land College website at LakeLandCollege.edu.

To learn more about CBE at Lake Land, visit the Lake Land College website at LakeLandCollege.edu/High-Demand-Programs/Competency-Based-Manufacturing-Programs/.