Laker Nation News

CAREER ACADEMY SELECTED TOP 20 STATE SHARED PROJECT

Lake Land College is proud to share this news release from the Effingham Regional Career Academy.

The Effingham Regional Career Academy (ERCA) was recently named one of the top 20 examples of Shared Services Best Practices across the State of Illinois. Gov. Bruce Rauner and Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti unveiled a report highlighting examples of local governments banding together to share services, equipment and expertise to increase government efficiency and save taxpayer dollars.

ERCA President, Effingham Unit #40 Superintendent Mark Doan, commented, “The ERCA is a cooperative effort between Lake Land College, Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, local businesses, and Effingham County schools that works to develop learning opportunities for citizens in the region. A lot of hard work has gone into developing partnerships to provide potential employees with the skills our area businesses are seeking. The ERCA is targeting both incumbent workers as well as high school level students while maximizing the resources available in an efficient manner. We are very proud of this recognition and look forward to continuing to expand this work.”

The Lake Land College Board of Trustees has demonstrated support for an 8-year master facilities plan calling for the construction of the Rural Development Technology Center in Effingham. The anticipated 36,000 square-foot facility will serve as a permanent home for the Effingham Regional Career Academy. The facility is projected to be finished by 2023 with five ERCA career pathways and associated courses shared across Effingham County school districts, in addition to available incumbent worker and adult student programs.

Lt. Gov. Sanguinetti said, “I commend these local leaders for finding innovative ways to deliver more efficient, effective, streamlined services for our taxpayers, and I encourage other local governments to follow their lead.” Lt. Gov. Evelyn Sanguinetti will be presenting the award to the ERCA at the Kickoff to Education Breakfast to be held on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 at the Keller Convention Center in Effingham.

In total, 262 shared service examples were provided for best practice consideration. Out of those responses, 20 were selected to be published in the Journal.  The report can be found at the following link:  https://www2.illinois.gov/ltg/Pages/default.aspx

To find more news about the Effingham Regional Career Academy, go to https://www.effinghamregionalcareeracademy.com/ or like us on Facebook “Effingham Regional Career Academy.”