Illinois allocates $19M to boost minority and women participation in skilled trades

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) — As part of an effort to encourage more minorities and women to enter the skilled trades, Illinois has awarded $19 million in funding toward the effort, including a workforce development outfit in Rockford.

The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program was launched in 2021 with the goal of increasing diversity in apprenticeship programs and well-paying fields.

“The greatest resource we have is the hardworking people of Illinois, and the greatest return on investment we have is training and educating them,” said Gov. JB Pritzker. “That’s why workforce development has been a centerpiece of Illinois’ economic agenda for the last six years and why we’re constantly attracting high-quality jobs to Illinois—because we have the skilled workers to fill them.”

The program boasted increasing Black, Hispanic, Asian, and Native American apprentices from 35 in 2023 to 81 in 2024, and women from 5 in 2023 to 24 in 2024.

The new funding is aimed at statewide agencies that provide recruitment, screening, and skills training.

In Rockford, Education Design Development and Research (EDDR), a staffing agency that fills jobs gobally, will receive $440,000 to strengthen their program.

“We are still experiencing a shortage of skilled trade workers,” said Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford). “To fill these positions and give residents a chance at a good-paying job, it’s essential to support programs like Illinois Works.”

According to its website, EDDR is a Woman Owned Certified Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) headed by program managers Gloria Jai and Kimberly Prowell.