SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Karina Villa helped secure over $1.7 million in funding for pre-apprenticeship programs across the 25th District.
“When I was a school social worker, a number of my students did not want to pursue a traditional four-year degree path and their options were unfortunately more limited,” said Villa (D-West Chicago). “Supporting pre-apprenticeship programs ensures we are providing young people with multiple pathways to pursue a stable career and achieve financial security.”
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $19 million in grant funding to 38 organizations across the state through the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program. The purpose of the funding is to create more pathways for students to access pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeships, which provide greater opportunities to secure lifelong careers in construction trades.
In Villa’s district, Lewis University will receive $682,000 to continue their pre-apprenticeship program in Aurora. Additionally, SkillsUSA-Northeast, which covers DuPage County, will receive $1.1 million to bolster their existing programs.
“By channeling resources into pre-apprenticeship programs, Illinois is not only addressing workforce shortages, but also fostering a diverse and inclusive talent pipeline that reflects the strength of our communities,” said SkillsUSA Illinois Executive Director Eric Hill. “We thank Senator Villa for her commitment to supporting this critical work to build new generations of talented, skilled workers to meet our needs and uplift our communities.”
To see a full list of organizations receiving grant funding across the state, click here.
###
