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Corn Belt Ports partnering with higher education to strengthen workforce development

The director of operations for the Corn Belt Ports says a new partnership with Western Illinois University is set to make it easier for the next generation to find careers on the inland waterways.

Chris Smith says establishment of the Corn Belt Ports Rural Logistics & Maritime Training & Education Consortium brings together a network of ten higher education institutions to advance maritime workforce development.

“We had tremendous support from the colleges and the universities in Illinois, Missouri, Iowa, and Wisconsin that all put a lot of effort into supporting the maritime and logistics industry,” he says.

He tells Brownfield it’ll collaborate with We Work the Waterways and other industry partners to better align educational programs with employer needs.

“There are certifications that are being offered for welding, electrician, maintenance, and those careers can also be applied to supporting the maritime industry and the logistics associated,” he says.

Smith says the launch of the Consortium coincides with federal efforts to strengthen the nation’s maritime industry and workforce infrastructure.

The charter institutions that have joined the Consortium are:

Western Illinois University, Black Hawk College, Carl Sandburg College, Culver‑Stockton College, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges, Illinois Central College, John Wood Community College, Northeast Iowa Community College, the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse, and Western Technical College.

AUDIO: Chris Smith – Corn Belt Ports