Joyce Highlights more than $480,000 for Chicago Heights Apprenticeship Program (Chicago Heights, IL) – State Sen. Patrick Joyce announced that a local nonprofit will receive nearly $500,000 in state funding to support workforce development and job training in the south suburbs.
The Bethel Family Resource Center in Chicago Heights was awarded a $484,000 grant through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program, a statewide initiative designed to expand access to careers in the construction and building trades. Joyce, a Democrat from Essex, said the funding will help continue efforts to connect residents of the 40th Senate District with stable, long-term employment opportunities.
“Running five years strong, the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program has proven its effectiveness in opening doors for residents of the 40th District,” Joyce said in a statement. “With this funding, Bethel Family Resource Center will continue to give the local community pathways to reliable employment.”
Launched in 2021, the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program aims to increase diversity and participation in apprenticeship programs by providing participants with foundational training and support. The program prepares individuals to qualify for full apprenticeship placements, which can lead to long-term careers in construction and related trades.
Administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Illinois Works supports a statewide network of providers that recruit and prescreen participants, deliver skills training, and help graduates transition from pre-apprenticeship programs into registered apprenticeships across the construction industry.
Joyce Highlights more than $480,000 for Chicago Heights Apprenticeship Program
