State Funding Strengthens Local Apprenticeship Opportunities

Local residents seeking well-paying, long-term careers in the construction trades will soon benefit from a significant investment in workforce development, as State Senator Doris Turner announced that more than $800,000 in funding has been secured for apprenticeship preparation programs in Central Illinois.

Through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program, $820,000 will be distributed to two key local organizations — Richland Community College, which is set to receive $495,000, and The Springfield Project, which will receive $325,000 — to expand access to comprehensive pre-apprenticeship training designed to equip participants with the skills and credentials needed to enter registered apprenticeship tracks.

The Illinois Works initiative, launched in 2021, aims to improve diversity and broaden access to the construction and building trades by helping individuals complete preparatory training, easing the transition into full apprenticeship programs, and ultimately increasing opportunities for stable employment in these in-demand fields.

“Expanding the trades gives people a path to secure stable, good-paying careers in a high-demand industry,” Turner said, emphasizing the importance of continued investment in job opportunities throughout Central Illinois.

Officials with The Springfield Project echoed Turner’s sentiments, noting that the funding will provide underrepresented young adults and community members with essential tools, training, and pathways to careers that might otherwise be out of reach.

The infusion of state funds through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will also support efforts to recruit and prescreen applicants, extend structured training, and facilitate participants’ transition into registered apprenticeships, strengthening the local workforce and helping to meet regional labor needs in the construction sector.