U.S. Department of Commerce Invests Approximately $4.9 Million in Central Illinois to Strengthen Information Technology Workforce Training Program Through Good Jobs Challenge
Contact: EDA Public Affairs Department, [email protected]
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo announced the Department’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) is awarding an approximately $4.9 million Good Jobs Challenge grant to Illinois Central College in East Peoria, to further the IT Workforce Accelerator Sustainability Project, a workforce training program to support the region’s information technology industry.
The program will help address the IT/tech workforce shortages in healthcare and manufacturing by expanding employer-driven training and creating a self-sustaining, fee-for-service funding model to be institutionalized post-grant. The IT Workforce Accelerator sectoral partnership, established in 2022 through a Good Jobs Challenge grant, includes over 100 active industry partners and 65 stakeholders aimed to expand existing IT workforce training programs, particularly increasing apprenticeships.
“The Good Jobs Challenge underscores the intent and impact of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda by strengthening and empowering America’s workforce, securing their future, and ensuring the United States remains globally competitive,” said Secretary Raimondo. “Building off its previous success, the Good Jobs Challenge is expanding into more communities across the country with a focus on industries that will define the 21st century economy. These investments will train American workers for industries of the future, empower them with the tools they need to secure good-paying jobs, and lift up communities in Illinois that have too often been overlooked or left behind.”
The Good Jobs Challenge is awarding its second phase of funding, investing $25 million into workforce systems and industry-led partnerships, providing new opportunities and training for America’s workforce to develop in-demand skills that meet the needs of today’s employers and lead to good-paying jobs. Initially funded by $500 million from the Biden-Harris Administration’s American Rescue Plan, the program is concluding its second year of implementation and has trained and placed more than 12,000 American workers into good jobs.
“Training a workforce that meets industry demands is a key component to growing and strengthening local and regional economies,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Economic Development Cristina Killingsworth. “The new Good Jobs Challenge awardees will build upon the success of our first-round grantees in putting thousands of Americans to work in industries that make our country stronger, safer, and more prosperous.”
“Today’s announced funding is a commitment to strengthen Illinois’ IT workforce,” said Senator Dick Durbin. “The Good Jobs Challenge will empower students at Illinois Central College to secure good-paying jobs in technology, bolster our economy, and help Illinois meet the needs of the 21st century.”
Read more about the Good Jobs Challenge at eda.gov.
About the U.S. Economic Development Administration (www.eda.gov)
The mission of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting competitiveness and preparing the nation’s regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. An agency within the U.S. Department of Commerce, EDA invests in communities and supports regional collaboration in order to create jobs for U.S. workers, promote American innovation, and accelerate long-term sustainable economic growth.