The state of Illinois has committed $25 million to programs that bring more people into the construction industry.
The state of Illinois has a growing problem because the real estate industry is heating up – but the construction workforce is slowing down. The average construction worker is now about 50 years old, and young people aren’t entering the field like they used to, creating a labor shortage.
Roger Huebner is the executive vice president of the Central Illinois Builders of AGC. He says he’s thrilled the state is trying to address the problem.
He says the new Illinois Works program will help address that. It sets aside $25 million dollars to create community-based, pre-apprenticeship programs.
He says this pre-apprenticeship program will fit right in with existing programs and will help more people explore the construction trades as possible careers.