CHICAGO (WAND) — On Wednesday, Governor JB Pritzker, along with educators, lawmakers and advocates, announced that the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT) is launching a paid trainee program to build a pipeline of tech talent to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals and diversify the agency’s workforce.
“As Governor, I’m determined to make sure every Illinoisan can access good jobs — the kind that pays the bills and also supports the dreams of their families,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “We are launching an IT trainee program to build a pipeline of tech talent to meet the growing demand for skilled tech professionals and diversify our state’s tech workforce. From creation to consumption, Illinois is paving the way in the digital economy for all our residents.”
Trainees will receive a minimum yearly salary of $54,000 from DoIT while pursuing tracks in one of five high-need concentration areas: cybersecurity, networking, coding and database, end user computing and enterprise infrastructure. Additional tracks will be added as the program grows. Trainees will also receive formal mentoring from current DoIT employees and be offered a full-time job with DoIT after completing the program and meeting its benchmarks.
Lincoln Land Community College developed the curriculum for participants and will host a training site in Springfield. Cohorts will begin with classes of 20 participants, with more being launched as needed.
Applicants should apply online at DoIT.illinois.gov. There will be two recruitment events:
- Friday, November 3 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at City College’s Harold Washington campus in Chicago
- Tuesday, November 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Kreher Building at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.
Prospective applicants can email DoIT.Recruitment@illinois.gov with application questions.
“Lincoln Land Community College is a leader in training individuals for vital careers in the technology and cybersecurity fields,” said Dr. Charlotte Warren, President of LLCC. “We’re proud to serve students with this innovative partnership that will help DoIT grow their own workforce, and we applaud DoIT and the Governor’s administration for recognizing the workforce training programs provided by community colleges.”
DoIT will soon be accepting applications for the inaugural class of the trainee program. The program was designed to make the broadest possible group of individuals eligible to participate.
For additional information on the trainee program, applicant criteria, and upcoming hiring events, email DoIT.Recruitment@illinois.gov.
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