D’Amico Effort to Increase Opportunity in Vocational Trades Signed into Law

CHICAGO – State Rep. John D’Amico, D-Chicago, is continuing his efforts to increase access to career opportunities in the trades by working to expand vocational job training through his support of a law creating the Training in Building Trades Program, which awards grants to community organizations that offer jobs training classes.

“I have seen firsthand how a career in the trades can offer good-paying reliable jobs for families like mine and countless more in our area,” D’Amico said. “Especially as the price of higher education has skyrocketed, going into the trades offers a rewarding career path for young people.”

To create good-paying jobs for middle-class families, D’Amico passed House Bill 2304, which creates the Training in Building Trades Program in the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for people between 18 and 35 to learn trade skills, especially in construction, electrical trades or plumbing. The bill received strong bipartisan support and was recently signed into law by the governor.

“Many companies, especially manufacturing firms, have positions that they need to fill, yet they don’t have applicants with the proper training to fill these jobs,” D’Amico said. “The skills gained in vocational training programs are highly in-demand and will open up job opportunities with good-pay and benefits for young people and individuals looking to transition into a new career.”