In 1999, Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) opened a state-of-the art training center near downtown Springfield, known as the Capital City Center, to meet the growing technology training needs of local employers. Over 20 years later, the Center’s training opportunities for in-demand careers have grown well beyond technology to many programs in the health care field.
Because of a focus on short-term, health care training, and our location at 130 W. Mason in the heart of the Mid-Illinois Medical District, just blocks from two major hospitals, the Center will now be known as LLCC-Medical District. This name also better reflects our connection to LLCC. Students interested in health care careers want options, and we look on this as an opportunity to promote our short-term programs alongside the degree and certificate programs available at the college.
The career programs offered at LLCC-Medical District include dental assistant, medical assistant, phlebotomy technician, CNA to medical assistant bridge, pharmacy technician, massage therapy, ECG technician and veterinary assistant. Some of these programs can be completed in as few as six months, and all of them in less than a year. Each program offers students the opportunity to work with a local employer on an externship, gain experience and a potential job even before graduation. Each program includes textbooks, learning aids and supplies and is the most affordable in the area.
Some of the programs also include the national certification tests, and our pass rates are well above the national averages. We often see students gain employment while on their externships or immediately following graduation. After receiving a stellar review, one of our fall 2020 dental assistant students was hired where they completed their externship. A spring 2019 graduate of our CNA to medical assistant bridge program landed a job immediately following their externship. The student is still employed at this location and frequently contacts the center staff with job opportunities to share among other graduates.
Currently, some of our training programs are being offered free of charge to students who qualify! The Open Door-Workforce Equity Initiative allows low-income students to attend our job training programs with no tuition, receive assistance with child care and transportation, along with other support. These students also receive stipends to help them with living expenses while they train. More information on this is available at www.llcc.edu/open-door-wei.
LLCC-Medical District will continue to expand programs based on employment opportunities within our district. For more information, please visit www.llcc.edu/medical-district or call 217-524-6749.