County-Backed Workforce Plan Prioritizes Youth Employment

With support from Sangamon County, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce is advancing a workforce development initiative designed to connect students with local career opportunities and address challenges related to talent retention. The program emphasizes youth employment, job readiness, and exposure to local industries to help young people build careers in Sangamon County.

Last month, the Sangamon County Board approved a resolution authorizing a $797,693 grant application through the Illinois Department of Human Services to support the Chamber’s workforce development efforts. The funding will be used to expand youth employment initiatives and build new programs aimed at preparing high school and college students for local career opportunities.

Chamber President and CEO Mike Murphy said the effort grew out of ongoing conversations with County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter about the county’s challenges in retaining young adults. Murphy explained that several years ago, following Chairman Van Meter’s remarks at a State of the Greater Springfield event, the Chamber launched its first youth job fair. The response from students and employers was strong, with some students receiving on-the-spot job offers and others securing summer employment. “I’ll always remember one young woman who walked out saying to anyone who would listen, ‘I got a job,’” Murphy said. “Moments like that showed us how valuable these programs can be.”

Murphy said Chairman Van Meter later encouraged the Chamber to expand its role in addressing workforce retention, particularly among residents between the ages of 18 and 35. After evaluating what would be required, Murphy said he told county leaders the Chamber would need additional staffing and dedicated funding to take on a broader initiative.

With the grant now advancing, Murphy said the Chamber has developed a structured plan that focuses primarily on youth employment. The goal is to reach every high school in Sangamon County multiple times throughout the year with programs centered on resume development, job preparedness, and education about local career pathways. He emphasized that a key message will be showing students that they do not need to leave Sangamon County to find meaningful opportunities.

Murphy also outlined plans to implement a job-shadowing program, noting that both of his own children ultimately pursued careers in fields they were exposed to through shadowing experiences in high school. He described the approach as a proven way to help students make informed decisions about their futures.

Although the initial focus will remain heavily on youth—Murphy estimated about 90 to 95 percent of the effort—he said the long-term vision includes expanding services to individuals re-entering the workforce from the prison system, as well as veterans. Murphy said past experience has shown that re-entry employment programs can be successful and believes the initiative could eventually support those workers as the program grows.

Workforce development experts consistently emphasize that early exposure to careers and strong connections between schools, employers, and community organizations are critical to long-term economic stability. Research and best practices in workforce planning show that programs helping students understand local job opportunities, build practical skills, and engage with employers before graduation can improve employment outcomes, reduce workforce shortages, and strengthen regional economies by retaining local talent.