Gov. JB Pritzker, in an announcement confirmed by Illinois.gov, heralded the availability of applications for the latest iteration of the state's Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program, a move aimed at continuing the expansion of diverse talent within Illinois' construction and building trades. The program is currently on its fifth round and is part of a broader initiative to fortify the workforce with skills not necessarily tied to a traditional four-year college degree pathway.
The initiative, which has been ongoing since 2021, has been a conduit for thousands to find not just jobs, but careers with solid pay, and this round promises a $25 million funding boost to create real-world change, expected to reach even more participants, reportedly totaling upward of 2,000 residents; "Since 2021, the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program has helped thousands of Illinoisans gain access to good-paying jobs in the construction and building trades," and "I am proud to expand this program to bring even more opportunities to workers who embody the best parts of Illinois—diversity, drive, and dedication to serve our state and the people who call it home," Gov. Pritzker told Illinois.gov.
According to the same source, Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton stated, "With these grants, we're continuing to build real pathways to high paying, family-sustaining careers that don't require a four-year college degree," emphasizing the particular impact expected for groups historically marginalized or underrepresented in the trades, a step forward in the longstanding effort to reshape and revitalize the workforce through inclusivity and opportunity.
Aligned with the program's overarching aim to bolster economic prospects for all its citizens, the DCEO Director Kristin Richards voiced her encouragement for eligible entities, which include non-profits, industry associations, workforce areas, community colleges, and more — to apply for this tranche of funding that is designed not just to train but to guide program graduates securely into registered apprenticeships, and “The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program increases economic opportunity for all Illinoisans," with "Our state's workforce is our biggest strength, and the Illinois Works Program is preparing more Illinoisans for jobs in construction and building trades," she told Illinois.gov.
Comprehensive details on the application process, grant amounts ranging from $150,000 to $550,000, and assistance for interested parties can be found on DCEO's website, with a deadline set for August 31, 2025. This pre-apprenticeship drive comes as part of the broader Illinois Works Jobs Program Act, a legislative effort geared towards diversity, inclusion, and the practical utilization of apprentices in state-funded capital projects, hatched from the $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan.
