Amy Yee at The Chicago Sun Times reports enrollment in Pre-Apprenticeship Training Programs in the State of Illinois since 2017 has led to a 95% and 202% jump in the number of Black and Female Apprentices, respectively, according to research by the non-partisan Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Project for Middle Class Renewal. That’s significant as the State’s Construction Industry struggles to fill jobs and gears up for more expansion under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which sets a goal to fuel Illinois entirely by clean energy by 2050. Illinois’ two largest Pre-Apprentice Programs: The Highway Construction Careers Training Program and the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program, known as IL Works – together, enrolled more than 5,800 Pre-Apprentices from 2017 through 2024, with Black and Female enrollees disproportionately exceeding the share of Construction Apprentices statewide. Their Apprenticeship Readiness Programs of six to 18 weeks teach foundational skills needed for longer-term Apprenticeships in roles such as Electricians, Ironworkers, Painters and Plumbers. Researchers found $66 million invested in the construction careers and IL Works Pre-Apprenticeships since 2017 translated into an investment of about $12,000 per program participant and $35,000 per placed Apprentice. For Pre-Apprentices who get jobs in the Skilled Trades, the programs yield a 900% return on grant investment over 10 years, in terms of their earnings.

To Read This Apprenticeship And Training Labor News Story In Its Entirety, Go To: Illinois pre-apprenticeship programs boost women and minorities in construction, study finds - Chicago Sun-Times