Innovative Grant Prepares Tomorrow’s High Tech Workforce
CHICAGO – Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced a $65,000 High Technology School-to-Work training grant to the Laserage Technology Corporation, which will be used to prepare 30 public school students to transition from school to high-skilled, high-paying jobs in the field of laser technology. The grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), and is a part of Gov. Blagojevich’s High Technology School-to-Work Initiative.
“The High Technology School-to-Work Program is preparing Illinois’ workforce of tomorrow for high-wage, high-skill jobs that require advanced technical training. By opening these doors for our students here in Zion and preparing them for careers in such an important field, we are going to remain competitive and keep these jobs in Illinois. This is a crucial investment in both our students and our economic future, and we are proud to work with the Laserage Technology Corporation,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The High Technology School-to-Work Program provides grants to consortia of high technology businesses and local schools. Projects are designed by partnerships among employers, associations and schools to provide youth with work experience in high technology occupations, combined with closely related classroom instruction. These programs allow students to explore careers in fields such as information technology, biotechnology, engineering, agriculture, electronics, medical technology and advanced manufacturing.
Laserage Technology Corporation is part of a technology intensive industry, which provides various laser systems to precisely cut, drill, scribe, weld and heat-treat a wide variety of materials. As part of the High Technology School-to-Work Program, Laserage Technology Corporation will select 30 junior and senior students from Zion-Benton Township High School to orient them to and accelerate them along a path of study that could ultimately qualify them for laser technician positions. These students will receive classroom instruction in field of Laser Electro-Optic Technology at Zion-Benton Township High School with equipment being provided by Laserage. During the work-based phase of the program, students will have internships at Laserage in the manufacturing area with hands-on instruction.
“We are thrilled about our partnership with the Zion-Benton Township High School, and are grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the High Technology School-to-Work Program. These students are being taught high-tech expertise in an industry where there is currently a shortage of skilled workers, and they will be trained through a real hands on, collaborative learning process,” Steve Capp, President and CEO, Laserage Technology Corporation said.
“This is another example of how Gov. Blagojevich is making the kinds of smart investments that matter most to the economic vitality of our state, our local businesses and to the future of our youth. Increasing the number of trained students pursuing advanced technology careers will impact the economic strength of the entire region and provide our workforce with higher-paying, cutting-edge jobs. The High Technology School-to-Work Program helps to create a future workforce that will serve this growing field for years to come,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges. Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses. It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs. Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.