A law recently-signed by Governor Bruce Rauner that would create on-the job apprenticeships for Illinois high school students seems to come at just the right time.
According to a new report by the Institute of Supply Management, U.S. manufacturing activity in August reached its highest level since 2004.
The report indicates the Institute of Supply Management index rose by 3.2 percent, showing an increase in new orders, production, and employment.
However, the same report detailed that a major concern for future growth relied on producers concerns over a shortage of labor.
Part of a series of bills signed by Rauner, House Bill 5247 would allow students who are 16-years or older to participate in a registered apprenticeship program.
State Senator Chuck Weaver says the registered apprenticeship program designed to prepare vocational employees is just what businesses need today.
“The message the last four to six months has been the inability of manufactures to be able to hire people to be able to do the output they need right now,” Weaver says. “There’s a tremendous amount of overtime that’s being paid. As companies have to make sure they’re getting their product out, [they got to make sure they have] a stable workforce.”
Weaver is a fan of these programs, he says that these programs provide additional educational opportunities for some students who may not want the burden of student debt.
“So many kids go to college, graduate with a tremendous amount of student loan debt, and then are unable to actually pay that off and find careers that justify the education they paid for. So many students could be better off with vocational work.”
While the high school apprenticeship program was signed into law on August 20th, Weaver hopes the program can be launched during the current school year.
A related law also recently enacted allows schools to apply for funding to purchase manufacturing equipment for in-school training.
Area students can already take advantage of vocational career options by attending the Galesburg Area Vocational Center.
