Well-designed workforce development programs ensure tax dollars are being used responsibly and workers’ time and dedication is repaid with a pathway to a rewarding career.
The Workforce Policy Lab team has professional experience leading and working in workforce development and education programs. This experience includes program, grant and fiscal management, training program delivery, and direct participant case management. This real-world experience helps us guide state-level implementation while considering the on-the-ground realities faced by workforce program delivery organizations.
Our Partners and Clients
We work with state agencies, community colleges and nonprofit organizations to design effective workforce training programs that put into practice the policies enacted at the state level. We partner with practitioners to develop training programs that meet workers where they are and provide the support services, apprenticeships and career pathways needed to prepare for skilled jobs.
Examples
Our team has been integral to the development of multiple workforce development programs for Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). We have worked closely with DCEO leadership and administrative staff, coordinated and guided the work of external contractors, and provided support to program implementation through grantees.
DCEO Apprenticeship Expansion
Since 2016, we have led the development of DCEO’s apprenticeship expansion efforts as the lead writer for U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Expansion grants. We also drove the development of the Apprenticeship Illinois process for expanding apprenticeship. These efforts included:
- Providing stakeholder input from IWIB, local workforce boards, state agencies (ICCB, IBHE, ISBE), individual community colleges, etc.
- Working with Illinois workNet team to develop the systems required to track and report participant case management, participant outcomes and business engagement
- Developing technical assistance materials to improve grantee performance and effectiveness
- Providing coaching and technical assistance to individual grantees focused on grant management, reporting and program delivery
Pre-apprenticeship Program Development
We have also been a core part of the development of the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program, including:
- Developing program manuals and other program materials
- Working with Illinois workNet team to develop the systems required to track and report participant case management and participant outcomes
- Providing technical assistance to grantees
- Organizing annual convenings of grantees
CEJA Workforce Training Programs
The Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) was signed into law by Governor Pritzker in September of 2021. This comprehensive energy legislation incentivizes renewable energy development, accelerates electric vehicle adoption and charging infrastructure, and creates statewide clean energy workforce training programs to prepare Illinois’ workforce for the clean energy jobs of the future. We’re proud to have worked on this policy from the legislation stage through program development and improvement. Learn more about CEJA Workforce Training Programs.