U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, Waubonsee President Dr. Christine Sobek and FONA Director of Technology and Innovation Dr. Robert Sobel visited Waubonsee Community College’s downtown Aurora Campus Tuesday to announce a $2.8 million grant that allows the college to serve displaced community residents through new programs for adult education and laboratory technician training through partnerships with area businesses, including FONA International.

Dr. Sobel and FONA Human Resources Director Tonya Hubbart partnered with Waubonsee to identify this opportunity for a laboratory technology program that will prepare students for jobs at FONA including Laboratory Support, Laboratory Technician and Senior Laboratory Technician. FONA will participate in curriculum development and serve on the advisory panel. The grant making these programs possible is part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Trade Adjustment Assistance Community College and Career Training (TAACCCT) initiative, which promotes skills development and employment opportunities in fields such as advanced manufacturing, transportation and health care, as well as science, technology, engineering and math careers through partnerships between training providers and local employers.

Dr. Sobel said, “Education is a key part of FONA culture, so we are proud to partner with Waubonsee on this new program that will better enable them to work as an academic liaison to the industry, supporting the needs of the Fox Valley technology corridor.”

In his remarks, Sen. Durbin said, “This grant will help workers who have seen their manufacturing or industrial jobs outsourced or off-shored get back on track by teaching them skills that will help them compete for highwage, high-demand jobs in the 21st century workforce.”

“Participants in this new program will earn certifications or credentials to enter growing high-wage, high-skill fields that include professional, scientific and technical careers,” said Waubonsee President Dr. Christine Sobek. 

ABOUT FONA INTERNATIONAL, INC. Founded in 1987, FONA International creates and manufactures flavors for many of the largest food, beverage, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical companies in the world from its state-of-the-art, 33-acre campus in Geneva, IL. FONA International has established a reputation as the forward-thinking, independent solution provider in the very competitive flavor industry.