Rock Island County will receive $374,000 in state funding to expand its job training program, according to Illinois State Sen. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island.
Mr. Halpin announced the grant funding in a Thursday, April 17, news release. The monies will assist in the expansion of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Rock Island County.
The grant is part of $19 million that Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) awarded to 38 program recipients who serve 1,900 community members statewide.
Launched in 2021, the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program aims to increase diversity and access to apprenticeship programs in well-paying fields across the trades.
“This program gives folks a shot at hands-on experience with the financial support and guidance to get their foot in the door of a respectable career,” Mr. Halpin said. “If we want to rebuild our Western Illinois economy, we need the workforce to do it. With plenty of bright young people looking for work, the trades offer a chance to support themselves, their families and their communities.”
The program’s goal is to create a qualified talent pipeline in the construction and building trades, the release said. Participants attend tuition-free and receive a stipend and other support services to help enter the construction industry. Upon completion, pre-apprentices receive industry-aligned certifications that prepare and qualify them to continue to a registered apprenticeship program in one of the trades.
Interest is high
With the average cost of college in the U.S. rising, young people are increasingly interested in the trades. According to the state, the number of students enrolled in vocational-focused community colleges increased 16% from 2022-2023.
Pre-apprenticeships are a pathway for people in underrepresented populations to find good work, with nine in 10 pre-apprentices coming from underrepresented groups. These include women, Black people, Hispanic people, people with disabilities, and veterans. Over 80% of pre-apprentices completed their programs and experienced an averaged 92% increase in their annual earnings after completing the program.
“Illinois has wisely decided to invest in our future by betting on our young people,” Mr. Halpin added. “This investment will pay dividends by creating good jobs, skillful tradesmen and upstanding citizens.”
To see a full list of organizations receiving grant funding, click here.
