ICCTA Business/Industry Partnership Award

2001 Recipient


Forsheda Engineered Seals
Nominated by Forsheda Engineered Seals
As ICCTA's newest honor, the Business/ Industry Partnership Award was established in 1999 to recognize Illinois employers who have forged successful workforce-training partnerships with community colleges.

This year's recipient, Forsheda Engineered Seals of Vandalia, was nominated by Kaskaskia College.

"With Kaskaskia's help, Forsheda has designed a customized training program to improve the company's productivity and the versatility of its employees," noted ICCTA executive director Gary Davis.

Kaskaskia College trustee Jim Beasley (right) presents representatives of Forsheda Engineered Seals with ICCTA's Business/Industry Partnership Award.
Kaskaskia College trustee Jim Beasley
(right) presents representatives of
Forsheda Engineered Seals with ICCTA's Business/Industry Partnership Award.

"The training strengthens the economy of the district and all of southern Illinois," he said.

Since 1996, Kaskaskia has provided specialized instruction at the Forsheda site. One-fourth of plant employees have completed basic computer training; prior to the partnership, workers would have been sent out-of-state for classes.

In addition, Kaskaskia has developed a new electro-mechanical technician program in response to the impeding retirement of veteran Forsheda employees.

"Working together has provided a win-win situation," says Forsheda general manager Bill Feld. "We have benefitted through employee skill-building, resulting in increased production and decreased downtime."

For additional information on ICCTA's Business/ Industry Partnership Award, please contact Kim Villanueva at 217-528-2858, ext. 1.