Participants in a pre-apprenticeship training program focused on construction trades in Illinois.
Illinois, August 21, 2025
Pre-apprenticeship training programs in Illinois have significantly increased the participation of women and people of color in construction trades, preparing the industry for upcoming clean-energy projects. An analysis from 2017 to 2024 reveals that enrollment and long-term earnings for participants have improved considerably, highlighting the ongoing need for stable funding and employer support to sustain the progress and expand opportunities.
Pre-apprenticeship training programs in Illinois have sharply increased the share of women and people of color entering construction trades, while also helping the industry prepare for a wave of clean-energy and infrastructure work. A statewide review of training activity from 2017 through 2024 shows clear gains in enrollment, placement and long-term earnings for participants — and points to next steps to keep the momentum going.
Pre-apprenticeship courses typically run from six to 18 weeks and teach the basic skills and workplace habits needed to enter long-term apprenticeships for trades such as electricians, ironworkers, painters and plumbers. Training is provided tuition-free through government grants to community colleges and nonprofit groups, and often includes practical supports like childcare and transportation to reduce barriers to participation.
The student body in these programs includes a higher share of Black people and women than seen in the overall pool of construction apprentices in the state. Many participants moved into pre-apprenticeship from low-paying jobs such as fast-food work and retail, and then transitioned into steady trade work with higher long-term earning potential.
Investment in pre-apprenticeship programs from 2017 through 2024 summed to about $66 million. That breaks down to roughly $12,000 spent per person enrolled and about $35,000 for each participant who moved into an apprenticeship. Analysts estimate that grants used to fund these programs yield about a 900% return in added participant earnings over a ten-year period — a calculation that counts higher wages and longer employment runs once people enter a skilled trade.
Illinois has set ambitious goals to reach full clean energy by midcentury, and the state plans major investments in infrastructure and highway work. That expanding slate of projects raises demand for skilled trade workers at the same time the industry faces longtime hiring challenges. Pre-apprenticeship programs appear to be a direct way to grow the pool of eligible workers while also increasing diversity in the trades.
The programs reported success but also flagged areas needing attention. Continued funding is not guaranteed; federal budget changes could reduce available grants. Program leaders recommended more stable state funding, stronger employer hiring incentives, higher stipends to offset lost wages during training and enhanced wraparound services to remove nonacademic barriers like childcare and transport.
New pre-apprenticeship hubs created under recent clean-energy and jobs legislation are expected to scale up opportunities. If the hubs reach full operation they may generate thousands of training slots and hundreds of apprenticeship placements each year. Expanding these programs would strengthen labor pipelines for construction, support local communities with new career paths, and help meet workforce needs tied to energy and infrastructure projects.
A short, free training program that teaches basic skills and workplace habits needed to enter a longer apprenticeship in construction trades.
Courses typically run from six to 18 weeks, depending on the program and trade focus.
People switching from low-paying jobs, women, and people of color are among those who benefit most, since the programs increase access to trade careers and often include support services.
Training is generally tuition-free for participants, funded by public grants to community colleges and nonprofits. Average investment was about $12,000 per participant in recent years.
Yes. Placement into apprenticeships leads to higher wages and longer employment. The programs’ grant investments are estimated to return about 900% in participant earnings over a ten-year period.
Yes. New pre-apprenticeship hubs linked to clean-energy work could create up to 3,200 pre-apprenticeship slots and 1,200 apprenticeship placements annually when fully operational.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Participants enrolled (2017–2024) | 5,800+ |
| Increase in Black apprentices since 2017 | 95% |
| Increase in female apprentices since 2017 | 202% |
| Total investment (2017–2024) | $66 million |
| Cost per participant | $12,000 |
| Cost per placed apprentice | $35,000 |
| Estimated return on grant investment (10 years) | 900% |
| Potential annual new pre-apprenticeships (full build) | 3,200 |
| Potential annual new apprentices (full build) | 1,200 |
| Typical program length | 6–18 weeks |
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