Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have awarded more than 17-million dollars to expand the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program statewide.
In Southern Illinois, SPARK 618 in Carbondale is receiving 325-thousand dollars to provide hands-on training and connect residents to careers in the construction and building trades.
Officials say the program helps create pathways to good-paying, long-term jobs across the state.
