Lake Land College is launching a new Competency-Based Education (CBE) format beginning in Fall 2026, aimed at three manufacturing-focused programs designed to better align with workforce demand.

The new CBE model will be used in the Automation Specialist I and II certificate programs, as well as the Applied Engineering Technology degree program. Instead of following a traditional semester schedule, students will progress by demonstrating mastery of skills, allowing them to move through coursework at their own pace.

That means students who already have experience in the field could move more quickly through material, while those needing additional support will be able to spend more time on specific concepts without the pressure of falling behind.

“The idea behind CBE is that learning can’t always be measured by hours spent in a classroom,” said Electronics Engineering Technology Instructor and Program Coordinator Michael Beavers. “The best indicator is when a student can take the skills we’re teaching and apply them in real, hands-on exercises.”

The program will also include online learning modules combined with hands-on instruction in Lake Land’s FlexTech lab, which is staffed by faculty three days a week for 12 hours per day. Students will be able to schedule lab time based on their availability.

College officials say the program was developed with support from the Illinois Manufacturing Workforce Ecosystem and the National Science Foundation, and has already gone through a testing phase since 2023. It has also received approval from the Higher Learning Commission.

Lake Land College officials say enrollment is now open for Fall 2026.