ARLINGTON HEIGHTS – State Senator Ann Gillespie (D-Arlington Heights) will join members of business, education and labor in overseeing an employment grant program, she announced today.

As a member of the 21st Century Employment Grant Program Advisory Board, it will be Gillespie’s duty to help oversee the progress of grant recipients, track gainful-employment rates of participants and monitor industry trends to determine where employment gaps can be filled.

“Equipping people with the professional and technical skills for jobs in their area will revitalize regional industries and uplift thousands of working class people,” Gillespie said. “Adults seeking employment and young people looking for low-cost alternatives to higher education will now have opportunities to receive hands-on training in a variety of fields.”

Board members include representatives from the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Department of Labor, State Board of Education, organized labor, industry leaders, educators and bipartisan House and Senate appointees.

The 21st Century Employment Grant Program, introduced by Senator Gillespie, awards funds to high schools and community colleges that establish regional partnerships with workforce development organizations, manufacturers, health care service providers and innovative technology businesses. The state-funded grant will also be supplemented by private contributions.

The 21st Century Employment Grant Program is effective on Jan. 1, 2020.