Sandoval, Schillerstrom, Gorman announce new jobs coming to Illinois
Access to training, apprenticeships and careers within skilled construction trades offered through the Tollway’s new ConstructionWorks program
Earlier this week, Senator Sandoval was joined by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, Representative Marcus Evans, Illinois Tollway Board Chairman Bob Schillerstrom and Executive Director Liz Gorman to announce the official launch of the Tollway’s new ConstructionWorks program.
A program envisioned to help Illinois residents develop careers in high-demand labor trades that is now ready to begin serving job seekers at 18 sites in Cook County, DuPage County, Chicago, Rockford, Aurora and Waukegan.
“As legislators, we always strive to expand access to opportunities for diverse communities. I applaud the leadership from the Tollway for their commitment to do just that,” said Illinois Senate Transportation Committee Chairman Martin A. Sandoval.
“ConstructionWorks is a great example of what’s possible when the public and private sectors work together to accomplish great things for the people of Illinois.”
Administered by The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, ConstructionWorks will provide free pre-apprenticeship training and support services to underemployed and disenfranchised residents, including members of minority groups, women and veterans, seeking training and career opportunities in the highway construction industry.
“Workforce development has always been one of my administration’s top priorities,” said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. “I applaud the Illinois Tollway for having the foresight to engage the public workforce system to champion this effort in an industry that has been historically biased against minorities, especially women and people of color.”
During an initial three-year term ConstructionWorks plans to train at least 150 individuals, including laborers, equipment operators, carpenters, electricians, iron workers, cement masons and others to place them in construction projects as part of the Tollway’s 15-year, $14 billion Move Illinois capital program, as well as other capital projects advanced by Cook County, the Illinois Department of Transportation and transit agencies.
Free services for job seekers will include access to a career coach and support services and assistance with transportation, child care, counseling services, as well as basic skills and adult education referrals.
Hanania also writes about Middle East issues for the Arab News, and The Arab Daily News criticizing government policies in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Hanania was named "Best Ethnic American Columnist" by the New America Media in November 2007, and is the 2009 recipient of the SPJ National Sigma Delta Chi Award for column writing.
Email Ray Hanania at rghanania@gmail.com.
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