Career and Technical Education

Career and Technical Education (CTE) teaches specific career skills and specializes in providing practical hands-on experiences to students in high-demand jobs specifically in Agriculture, Business Technology, Computer Networking, Digital Media, Electric Vehicle and Energy Storage, Hybrid Diesel Equipment Technology, and Industrial Technology. Our Industrial Technology program has been split into three career clusters: Manfacturing, Architecture Construction, and Energy Systems Technology. 

Students will leave our programs with real world skills for a wide range of high-wage, high-skill and in-demand careers. To accomplish these, students can earn a short-term skills certificate, gain industry credentials, and/or earn an Associate of Applied Science degree. With small class sizes and knowledgeable instructors who have first-hand experience in the industry, CTE at Heartland sets students up for long-term success. 

Build Skills That Lead to Real Careers

Heartland’s Career & Technical Education programs are designed with one goal in mind: helping students gain the practical, job‑ready skills that employers value. Every program blends hands‑on training, industry‑standard equipment, and classroom learning to prepare you for meaningful work in growing fields across Central Illinois and beyond.

Learn in Modern, Industry‑Aligned Labs 

Students train in updated, professional spaces. Across all programs, you’ll work with the same tools and technologies used in today’s workplaces, giving you a competitive edge from day one.

Welding Lab 

Opened in August 2024, the newly renovated welding lab is our newest updated space. The space now features state‑of‑the‑art welding booths equipped for MIG, stick, and TIG welding, giving students the flexibility to practice a full range of techniques in a safe, efficient environment. The upgraded layout improves workflow, ventilation, and visibility, creating a professional atmosphere that mirrors real‑world worksites. It’s a place built for hands‑on mastery, whether you’re just getting started or advancing your craft. 

Advanced Manufacturing Center

Opened in January 2024, the Advanced Manufacturing Center is one of the newest buildings on Heartland's campus. The 45,000 square foot facility features the cutting-edge State Farm Electric Vehicle Lab and provides innovative hands-on instruction for HVAC, electronics, robotics, renewable energy, and digital media. The facility supports the growing need for Career and Technical Education programs that balance out the robust curriculum for transfer-oriented students at the college. 

As part of the Advanced Manufacturing Center, the State Farm Electric Vehicle Lab gives students a space to gain skills in electric vehicle/energy storage to enter, and advance, in the rapidly growing electric vehicle industry.

Agriculture Complex

The Agriculture Complex was added to campus in January 2024. One of the most important and fastest growing industries in Central Illinois, agriculture plays a vital role in the economic health and welfare of the area. This facility offers the learning spaces needed for plant science, soil analysis, precision planting technology, drone technology, agribusiness, and money other types of instruction.

The Agriculture Complex hosts community members and events in its McLean County Farm Bureau Ag Lab. The Complex is also used for school field trips and hosts FFA members, 4-H club members, and others who will carry the industry forward for generations to come.  

Connected to Local Employers 

Our programs are shaped by partnerships with local and regional businesses and industry leaders. These connections help ensure our curriculum stays current and that students have access to internships, apprenticeships, and job opportunities that match their career goals. 

Programs That Fit Your Path

Whether you’re interested in manufacturing, digital media, agriculture, computer networking, business technology, electric vehicles or another skilled field, you’ll find a program built to match your interests and strengths. Many options offer stackable credentials, letting you build your education step‑by‑step while gaining valuable experience along the way. 

Certificates - prepare you for entry level jobs or increase your skills for a job you already have. Most certificates can be completed in 1-2 semesters and applied towards an Associate of Applied Science. 

Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degrees - prepare you to directly enter the workforce in a specific field. AAS degrees will result in earning at least one certificate and are usually not transferable to a four year institution. 

Support Every Step of the Way 

From academic advising to tutoring to career services, Heartland provides the support you need to succeed. Our faculty and staff are committed to helping you navigate your program, build confidence, and prepare for the next stage of your career journey. 

Career Pathways

Many certificate and Associate of Applied Science (AAS) programs lead to strong starting salaries, industry‑recognized credentials, and career pathways where students can grow their earnings quickly. In several fields — including computer networking, advanced manufacturing, and skilled trades — early‑career wages for certificate or AAS graduates can match or exceed those of bachelor’s degree holders. 

Families want to know that education pays off. CTE delivers a strong return on investment by offering: 

  • Lower cost than a four‑year degree 
  • Faster entry into the workforce 
  • High‑value skills aligned with employer needs 
  • Clear pathways to continued education, apprenticeships, or promotions

CTE isn’t just a program — it’s a launchpad to a stable, rewarding, and financially secure future.