GRAYSLAKE — State Senator Mary Edly-Allen commended the recently acquired $550,000 aimed at helping the Lewis University’s Grayslake General Construction pre-apprenticeship program build pathways to good-paying jobs in the construction and building trades.

“Expanding the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program will bring more jobs and opportunities to the Lake County area,” said Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville). “By providing Lewis University with new avenues for training, we’re opening doors into steady and much-needed construction and building trade careers.”

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded $19 million in grant funding through the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program to 38 organizations across the state.

The purpose of the funding is to create more pathways for kids to access pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeships, which provide greater opportunities to secure lifelong careers in the construction trades.

To see a full list of organizations receiving grant funding across the state, click here.