Discusses the efforts of the Career and Technical Education programs offered by the Illinois Community College System to provide people with the skills and training needed to compete successfully in the workforce of the future. Describes the acquisition of such skills and training to be increasingly crucial. Emphasizes that with increasing numbers of job cuts and layoffs there is a rising trend of employees attempting to upgrade their skills and seek retraining. Data for the Illinois Community College Systems Career and Technical Educational Follow Up Study Report were obtained from responses to a standardized survey. A total of 2,102 former students who graduated from selected Illinois community college programs were surveyed in March 2003, but only 1,214 of those responses were usable, yielding a usable response rate of 59%. Part one of the report provides a statewide overall summary of survey outcomes. Part two includes an in depth analysis of survey results according to specific program areas for colleges to use in reviewing their programs during the economic year. Contains 17 references, 23 figures, 2 tables and 3 appendices. Appendix A presents a summary of responses by college and response rates by program area. Appendix B presents provides information by survey item, and Appendix C presents data by both college and program. (JS)