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Yesterday, State Representative Katie Stuart, (D-Edwardsville), who serves as Assistant Majority Leader and Floor Whip, toured the new Collinsville Area Vocational Center site today to get a firsthand look at construction progress.
CAVC Director Joe McGinnis and Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 Superintendent Dr. Mark B. Skertich, along with representatives of Holland Construction Services, guided Leader Stuart through the facility. The CAVC expansion, which broke ground in March 2025, is expected to be operational for the 2026-27 school year.
Leader Stuart was an early and strong advocate for this project which aligns with the State of Illinois' focus on Career and Technical Education (CTE). She was instrumental in promoting the project in Springfield to procure funding.
In 2023, the State of Illinois appropriated $25 million (SB 250; page 1024) to Collinsville Community Unit School District #10 (the governing board of Collinsville Area Vocational Center) for the expansion and renovation of CAVC. Most of the funding is for the construction of the expansion, but a portion is allocated to renovate the existing facility to help bring-in new vocational programs.
“Before working as a state representative, I spent most of my career in the classroom. I learned how important it is for students and staff to have proper updated equipment and facilities. The new Collinsville Area Vocational Center will be the launching pad for so many students’ success stories, and I can’t wait to hear about all their progress in the coming years. Our students and children need to be provided the opportunity to learn and grow, and that’s what this new center is all about,” said Leader Stuart.
Once completed, the new and improved CAVC will serve as a bigger pipeline for the trades, service industry, education careers and healthcare occupations. The result will be more opportunities for students from Collinsville and ten other area high schools who send students to CAVC; the potential to include additional high schools in CTE education; and a skilled workforce for current and future businesses.
“This expansion, which is the largest investment by the State of Illinois into a secondary level CTE program, allows CAVC to significantly broaden the career pathways available to students,” said Collinsville Area Vocational Center Director Joe McGinnis.
“We will initially add high-demand programs such as HVAC, EMT and aviation mechanics, with room for more program growth in the future,” McGinnis said. “Just as important, it positions us to serve more students across the region by welcoming new partner districts like O’Fallon and Madison. By increasing both capacity and program offerings, we are creating greater access to career and technical education that aligns with workforce needs and gives more students a clear, hands-on pathway to meaningful careers right here in the Metro East.”
The new CAVC was designed by FGM Architects. Holland Construction Services is the construction manager. The cost is projected to be $21,454,783 for the expansion, and an additional $3,082,831 for existing facility renovations. The overall project will allow enrollment to increase from the current 600 to an expected 900 students annually.
“The impact of the CAVC Expansion and Renovation will benefit students for generations to come. This project empowers students to explore, learn, and pursue careers in the skilled trades, providing employment opportunities that will serve students throughout their lives while strengthening the workforce pipeline for the Metro East region,” said Superintendent Skertich, “We are grateful for the leadership and unwavering support of Leader Stuart, as this transformational project would not have been possible without her commitment.”
The new facility is located at the intersection of South Morrison and Caseyville Roads in Collinsville, Ill. The property is located across from the existing CAVC building and Collinsville High School campus.
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