Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program

The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, through its Office of Illinois Works, is offering the Illinois Works Pre-apprenticeship Program to expand the pipeline of qualified workers entering construction and building trades apprenticeships. The program operates under the Illinois Works Jobs Program Act and is intended to increase access to State capital projects and construction careers, particularly for historically underrepresented populations. The Department currently supports Illinois Works pre-apprenticeship programs across the state and is using this funding opportunity to expand geographic coverage and increase participation among underserved groups, including women, people of color, veterans, individuals of Asian descent, and other populations that have historically faced barriers to entering or advancing in the construction workforce. Although applications may serve any Illinois Economic Development Region, the NOFO particularly encourages proposals serving identified counties in the Central, North Central, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, and Southern regions. The program provides grants to eligible nonprofit community-based organizations, including qualifying colleges, universities, technical schools, school districts, industry associations, chambers of commerce, employment social enterprises, local workforce organizations, and similar entities capable of delivering construction pre-apprenticeship services. Funded organizations must recruit and prescreen participants, provide technical and employability skills instruction, address barriers to program participation, provide wrap-around and academic support services, and establish pathways for graduates to enter United States Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs in construction and the building trades. Programs must emphasize historically underrepresented populations but are not required to serve every population identified in the NOFO. Existing Illinois Works grantees may apply when proposing service in a different geographic area or Economic Development Region from the one for which they were originally contracted, or when required to reapply under GATA requirements. Approximately $12,000,000 in State funding is expected to support 25 awards ranging from $150,000 to $550,000. No cost sharing or matching contribution is required, although applicants that demonstrate matching or leveraged resources may receive additional merit-review points. Grant funds are intended to support the required program components, including program administration, outreach and recruitment, intake, instruction, case management, wrap-around services, student support services, transition and follow-up services, data entry, participant stipends, and related program delivery expenses. Performance-based participant stipends may not exceed $14.50 per training hour. Proposed curricula must provide at least 183 and no more than 300 hours of instruction, include at least 40 hours of employability skills training, provide 10 to 50 hours of work-based learning unless an allowable alternative is necessary, and culminate in required certifications including OSHA-10, First Aid/CPR, and an approved nationally recognized construction credential. Grant funds may not be used to purchase real property or for significant improvements to real property unless specifically related to program delivery and preapproved by DCEO. Proposal-development costs are not allowable. Applications must be submitted electronically through the Smartsheet form identified in the NOFO. Applicants must be registered in the Illinois GATA Grantee Portal at the time of application and must satisfy applicable registration and eligibility requirements. The application package includes a signed Uniform Grant Application, the complete DCEO Uniform Budget workbook, a signed Conflict of Interest Disclosure, a signed Mandatory Disclosure, a one-page Executive Summary, and a Technical Proposal not exceeding 20 pages. The Technical Proposal addresses applicant capacity, documentation of need, the pre-apprenticeship project plan, and budget narrative, cost effectiveness, return on investment, and sustainability. Required program attachments include Attachment I Proposed Work Plan, Attachment II Participant Demographics and Outcomes Summary, Attachment III Sample Curriculum and Proposed Curriculum, Attachment IV Staffing Plan, resumes and credentials for key staff and instructors, and appropriate memoranda of understanding or partnership agreements. Applications must comply with the specified formatting requirements, and the electronic submission form permits a maximum of 10 uploaded documents. Applications opened September 2, 2026 and must be submitted by October 2, 2026 at 5:00 PM CST. An optional technical assistance session is offered on September 15, 2026 at 9:00 AM, and applicants are also encouraged, but not required, to attend or view the Illinois Works bidder conference. Proposals will undergo a competitive merit review using a 100-point scale. Applicant Capacity accounts for 25 percent, Documentation of Need for 25 percent, Project Quality and Integration for 30 percent, and Cost Effectiveness and Return on Investments for 20 percent. Reviewers will consider organizational and staff experience, service to underrepresented populations, regional and occupational need, partnerships, training design and outcomes, recruitment and equity strategies, participant transition into apprenticeships and employment, work-plan feasibility, cost per participant, reasonableness of costs, and commitment to leveraged or matching resources. Successful applicants will receive a Notice of State Award and then proceed through grant agreement development; the NOFO does not provide a specific award-announcement date and notes that agreement development may take months. The expected period of performance is January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2027. Awards are for one year, with the potential for renewal or modification for up to two additional years for successful projects based on program performance, outcomes, and available funding. New grantees must complete instruction no later than October 31, 2027, and participants must receive follow-up services at least quarterly for one year after program completion. Performance expectations include an 85 percent training-completion rate among required enrollees, a 70 percent transition rate into United States Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Programs, and maintenance of Good or Excellent compliance status. Grantees must use the Illinois Works Reporting System for real-time participant and program data and are also subject to required financial, performance, monitoring, and closeout reporting. Program questions may be directed to Norman Ruano at Norman.Ruano@illinois.gov or 312-497-1008. The DCEO Grant Help Desk may also be reached at CEO.GrantHelp@illinois.gov.

Align the narrative directly to the 100-point merit criteria; demonstrate experience serving the proposed underrepresented population and document regional construction and apprenticeship need; build strong documented pathways to DOL-registered apprenticeship programs through employers, unions, workforce partners, and MOUs; provide a feasible curriculum of 183-300 hours with 10-50 hours of work-based learning and required credentials; describe performance-based stipends at no more than $14.50 per instructional hour; plan cohorts of 5-25 participants and no more than three cohorts; document strong transition and follow-up services and the required Transition Services Coordinator; quantify participant recruitment, completion, and apprenticeship-transition outcomes; leverage matching or other resources where available because they can earn merit-review points; keep administrative costs at or below the stated 10% of direct-cost guidance; ensure every required form, signature, attachment, credential, and budget tab is complete before submission