July 12, 2024

Duckworth, Durbin Announce $18.8 Million for Manufacturing, Education Apprenticeship Programs in Illinois

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.]—U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced a total of $18,838,897 in U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) funding for three Illinois recipients to help modernize, diversify and expand the Registered Apprenticeship system in growing U.S. industries, helping bring thousands of trainees into these industries. Through the DOL’s Apprenticeship Building America initiative, awardees today will receive support to help diversify and expand workforce training programs in heavy equipment supply chain, automotive collision repair and early childhood education.

“I’m pleased to help announce this significant federal investment which will help the local businesses and institutions educate and train even more young Illinoisans for good-paying jobs in high-demand industries,” said Duckworth. “These sorts of federal investments won’t just help change lives but will help change our communities and local economies for the better. I’m proud to continue supporting our apprenticeship programs with Senator Durbin to help the next generation reach their full potential as they enter the workforce.”

“Apprenticeships are an essential component of building a strong workforce and an even stronger economy,” said Durbin. “I’m pleased to see the federal government invest millions into Illinois’ apprenticeship programs as industries like manufacturing, the care economy, and IT evolve.  With this funding, we can modernize our programs and set our workers up for a successful, stable career.”

Recipients of these DOL grants include:

Illinois Foundation of SkillsUSA, Pekin: $7,999,948

This funding will help create a National Hub for youth-focused registered apprenticeships along the heavy equipment supply chain. The National Hub will source diverse talent for a new workforce ecosystem for original equipment manufacturers, heavy equipment dealerships, and contractors to address their critical workforce shortages for diesel technicians and heavy equipment operators, serving more than 2,000 trainees.

Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, Rolling Meadows: $7,043,749  

This funding will help create a National Registered Apprenticeship Hub for the automotive collision repair industry that serves as an engine of growth for the promotion and expansion of Registered Apprentice Program (RAP) opportunities. I-CAR will serve as a multi-employer and multi-industry segment RAP sponsor and intermediary with the primary focus of supporting the automotive collision repair industry’s needs for creating and expanding RAPs in in-demand occupations. 

Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois, Urbana: $3,795,200  

This funding will help create a new Registered Apprentice Program (RAP) that leads to Illinois state teacher licensure (called the Professional Educator License); to expand three existing RAPs that lead to Illinois credentials in early childhood education; and to establish a new pre-apprenticeship program in early childhood, serving roughly 72 apprentices and 28 pre-apprentices.

These grants are a part of the Department of Labor’s more than $244 million effort in funding to modernize, diversity, expand the Registered Apprenticeship system in growing industries. Apprenticeship Building America grant recipients will partner with employers and other stakeholders to launch programs that offer workers, including those from underrepresented populations and underserved communities, access to high-quality training through pre-apprenticeships and Registered Apprenticeships.

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