Chicago Construction News staff writer
Applications are now open for the fifth round of the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program, a statewide initiative designed to expand access to careers in construction and the building trades, state officials announced Monday.
Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations, industry associations, chambers of commerce, community colleges, technical schools and school districts. Priority will be given to applicants that serve underrepresented groups, including women, people of color and veterans, as well as priority economic development regions.
Grant awards will range from $150,000 to $550,000. Both new and returning grantees are encouraged to apply, especially if they propose to serve a different region than previously contracted.
Funded by $25 million in state support, the program aims to increase diversity in the trades by training up to 2,000 residents through approximately 45 programs across Illinois. Funding will be awarded through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) process, with applications due by Aug. 31 at 5 p.m.
“Since 2021, the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program has helped thousands of Illinoisans gain access to good-paying jobs in the construction and building trades,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. “I am proud to expand this program to bring even more opportunities to workers who embody the best parts of Illinois—diversity, drive, and dedication.”
The program provides tuition-free training, stipends, and support services to help participants overcome barriers to employment. Graduates earn industry-aligned certifications and are prepared to enter registered apprenticeship programs, creating a direct pathway to long-term careers in the skilled trades.
Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton said the initiative is helping to build “real pathways to high-paying, family-sustaining careers that don’t require a four-year college degree.”
“This is about making sure young people—as well as women, people of color and others who have long been underrepresented in the trades—can access the kinds of jobs that keep Illinois running,” she said.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), which administers the program, will offer technical assistance, including webinars, regional meetings and FAQs, to help organizations complete the application process.
“Our state’s workforce is our biggest strength,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “The Illinois Works Program is preparing more Illinoisans for jobs in construction and building trades. I encourage all eligible entities to apply for this round of funding.”
Since its launch in 2021, the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program has awarded $75 million and served more than 4,000 residents. The initiative is part of the broader Illinois Works Jobs Program Act, signed into law in 2019 as a component of the state’s $45 billion Rebuild Illinois capital plan.
