State Representative Tony McCombie was appointed by House Republican Leader Jim Durkin to the 21st Century Employment Grant Program Advisory Board on Tuesday, February 25.
“Illinois must find ways to keep residents and jobs here if we have any chance of growing our way out the mess Springfield has created for Northwest Illinois through regressive anti-jobs policies,” said Rep. McCombie.
The 21st Century Employment Grant program distributes funds to community colleges or public high schools who establish a collaborative regional partnership with workforce development organizations, economic development officials, manufacturers, healthcare service providers, and innovative technology businesses to provide a manufacturing training program.
“I am honored Leader Durkin appointed me to serve on the 21st Century Employment Grant Advisory Board,” said McCombie. “This program is one way we can start to stem the tide of the exodus of Illinoisans across our borders. While many of us are working on broader policies that can help keep job creators here, this is one way we can help ensure they have a fully trained workforce to meet their needs.”
“Illinois manufacturers employ 592,000 women and men on factory floors today but face a tremendous challenge as these workers retire. Building a strong manufacturing workforce is critical,” said Mark Denzler, president & CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We applaud Rep. McCombie’s leadership in addressing the skills gap through this new job training program.”
Rep. McCombie was a Chief Co-Sponsor of Senate Bill 1919, the bipartisan bill which created the 21st Century Employment grant program last year.