Local universities spearhead Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute [Video]

MOLINE, Ill — It was a different kind of signing day at Western Illinois University.

University presidents from Western Illinois University, Iowa State University and the University of Illinois announced a collaborative manufacturing program on Friday, Aug. 23 at WIU’s Riverfront campus.

“[This is] a giant leap forward in innovation for our region,” Peter Tokar III, CEO of the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce said.

The universities are working with local manufacturing companies, developing a curriculum to help students land their next jobs.

“The universities being [involved is] really strategic because it also says, ‘What kind of employees do you need to do this advance manufacturing, and how can the university systems provide training, provide education for the workforce of the future on these new technologies so we maintain a …