Pearl Technology’s Anthony Mini is proud of the IT Workforce Accelerator team, the employer partners, and everyone involved in being named a finalist for the national 2026 Bellwether College Consortium Award in the Workforce Development category.
“This recognition is well deserved,” Anthony said. “The collaboration between Illinois Central College and industry is real, intentional, and producing measurable results. This initiative is personal to me. Twenty-five years ago, I attended ICC. Today, as an employer with a significant demand for skilled IT talent, we’ve been actively involved on the committee, hired students from the program, hosted multiple interns, and provided feedback to help shape the curriculum. Having the opportunity to contribute to a program like this has been a meaningful professional experience.”
Anthony added that the access students receive, from curriculum to resources to support, is built to launch real careers in IT, not just hand out certificates.
The numbers speak for themselves: 2,843 students enrolled, 2,468 credentials awarded, 931 students employed, 200+ employers engaged.
“Bringing an employer to the award event reflects the genuine commitment to collaboration and long-term sustainability,” Anthony continued. “I’ve had the privilege of watching this program grow into what it is today, and I’m truly appreciative and excited to see the continued shared success. Thank you!”
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