CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A new state program seeks to increase diversity in the construction and building trades in Illinois.
The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program has set aside $10 million for grants to nonprofits, community-based organizations, colleges, industry associations, chambers of commerce, technical schools, and school districts to create training programs for women and people of color who want to work in construction.
The state would also work with unions and construction companies to create more apprenticeship opportunities for women and people of color.
The state said up to a thousand people seeking jobs in the construction and building trades could benefit from the first year of the program, which is designed to remove barriers that the state claims have limited the ability of women and people of color to have careers in construction.
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