* Sun-Times…

Programs to prepare workers for skilled trades apprenticeships have significantly boosted the number of women and people of color in Illinois’ construction workforce and also yield a big return on investment, according to a report released Wednesday.

In Illinois, enrollment in pre-apprenticeship training programs since 2017 has led to a 95% and 202% jump in the number of Black and female apprentices, respectively, according to research by the nonpartisan Illinois Economic Policy Institute and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Project for Middle Class Renewal. […]

Researchers found that $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. […]

More pre-apprenticeship hubs have been created as part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, researchers noted. In 2024, they won nearly $40 million in grants for clean energy regional pre-apprenticeships and workforce hubs. Programs are run by community colleges and nonprofits such as 548 Foundation, which focuses on solar industry training.

* Related…

* Press Release | Governor Pritzker Announces Applications Open for Next Round of Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program: Today, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced applications are now open for the fifth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program provides training opportunities, expands the talent pipeline, and boosts diversity in the construction industry and building trades. Grantees will be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process. […] This round of $25 million in funding will increase the representation of underrepresented groups – including people of color, veterans, and women in the construction trades. This round of Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program funding will fund up to 45 programs throughout the state including new grantees, serving nearly 2,000 residents.

* Shaw Local | Will County celebrates graduates of state training program that paves way for careers in trades: Almost 20 people have graduated from a pre-apprenticeship program in Will County that prepares them for union trade apprenticeships and construction project opportunities. The ceremony for 18 graduates of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program was held Wednesday on the fifth floor of the Will County Courthouse in Joliet.

* WQAD | YWCA Quad Cities expands summer Pre-Apprenticeship Program for youth: The 13-week program is open to residents ages 16–24 and provides full or part-time employment at local businesses. All student wages are funded by the YWCA, easing the cost for employers and helping young people gain job experience. The first week’s focus on professional development, including résumé and cover letter writing, job readiness training, and career exploration. Participants also learn life skills such as budgeting, understanding insurance and employee benefits, and how to open a bank account through workshops and guest speakers.