SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Heavy equipment operators and dealers are facing shortages of qualified technicians. Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski is helping solve the problem by obtaining an $8 million federal grant.
Budzinski joined officials with the Youth Workforce Development Foundation, affiliated with SkillsUSA Illinois, and the Associated Equipment Distributors (AED) on Wednesday.
The grant will be used for youth-focused apprenticeship programs. Training can begin in high school. Those students will then be able to enter the workforce with high paying jobs and little or no student debt.
“I really believe the future of our workforce in central and southern Illinois does not require a four year college degree,” Budzinski stated at Lincoln Land Community College in Springfield.
Funding is provided by the U.S. Department of Labor.
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