The campus community is invited to a press conference outside the Workforce Careers Center at 11:45 this morning to announce details of a $5 million federal grant awarded to LLCC. The grant will allow LLCC to expand facilities and programs that will train more emergency medical services workers (EMTs and paramedics), truck drivers and diesel mechanics, all fields that have an urgent need for workers in this area. Speakers are Ken Elmore, board chair; Dr. Charlotte Warren, president; Don Shaefer, executive vice president, Mid-West Truckers Association, Inc.; a representative of SIU School of Medicine, Department of Emergency Medicine; and a representative of Roland Machinery Co. Speakers will detail how the grant funds will be used, how many students will be impacted and how the local economy will benefit.

The press conference will take place between sessions of the college’s Workforce Careers Expo, featuring outdoor displays of heavy equipment and approximately 50 employers meeting with 500 area high school students.