Women and people of color are now the two fastest-growing groups in Illinois’ construction workforce, a shift researchers link to investments in pre-apprenticeship programs.
The findings come from a study by the nonpartisan Illinois Economic Policy Institute (ILEPI) and the Project for Middle Class Renewal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
Pre-apprenticeships, also called apprenticeship readiness programs, typically last 8 to 14 weeks and provide foundational skills needed to secure placement in longer-term apprenticeships. These tuition-free programs are often funded through government grants to community colleges or nonprofit organizations. Training includes hands-on learning, classroom instruction, and exposure to careers in the skilled trades.
Many programs also offer wraparound services to address common barriers to workforce entry, such as childcare, transportation, and stipends.
For the study, researchers analyzed publicly available data from Illinois’ two largest initiatives: the Highway Construction Careers Training Program and the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program.
