Man-Tra-Con Corporation was honored with an “Excellence in Collaboration Award” from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) at the Illinois Workforce Summit: Empower. Engage. Excel. The summit was held from May 7-8, 2026, in Peoria, Illinois.
The award recognized the work Man-Tra-Con Training & Reintegration Career Specialist Robert Angle has done in collaboration with Freddie Buckingham from the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) for their work on the Southern Region Re-Entry Virtual Job Fair project.
The Illinois Workforce Summit Planning Team selected Man-Tra-Con Corporation to receive the award, “This award recognizes your outstanding commitment to partnership, coordination, and collective impact in advancing Illinois’ workforce development system. Your leadership and dedication exemplify the spirit of collaboration that drives meaningful outcomes for the communities we serve.”
At the summit, Man-Tra-Con Training & Reintegration Career Specialist Robert Angle was one of several speakers who participated in a presentation explaining the newly designed IWDS 2.0 system expected to be implemented this summer. The presentation titled “WIOA Title 1 and IWDS 2.0 — Customer Centered by Design” provided career planners, AJC operators and frontline workforce development professionals across all funding streams with a clear, big picture understanding of Illinois’ transition to a statewide customer-centered design model and how IWDS 2.0 supports that shift for WIOA Title 1 Programs.
During the presentation, Robert was able to speak with attendees during a group discussion, get feedback, and answer questions about the new system.
Photos at right highlight the event.
