Yednock Highlights Free Job Training Resources for Laid Off Workers

OTTAWA, IL – As many workers throughout the Illinois Valley have been laid off or furloughed in recent months, state Rep. Lance Yednock, D-Ottawa, is highlighting new job training resources for Illinoisans that are out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Through no fault of their own, many of our neighbors are out of work and their families face real uncertainty,” said Yednock. “That is why it’s critical for leaders to continue working to find solutions to help create jobs and train workers for new opportunities in the ever-evolving workforce. Unemployment rates have skyrocketed statewide and continue to rise as many workers have been laid off due to temporary closures caused by the pandemic.”

The State of Illinois is partnering with the online higher education platform Coursera to offer unemployed Illinoisans free courses in various topics including information technology and job readiness skills like business writing and persuasive communication. Illinois is one of the first states in the nation to provide free online job training courses to its residents. Registration for the online courses is available now through September by visiting the Coursera website at https://www.coursera.org/government/workforce-recovery. All courses must be completed by December 31, 2020. Participants may earn industry-recognized credentials as well as building their information base and can continue their education at local community colleges.

To support Illinoisans that are out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yednock helped pass Senate Bill 471, which would expand eligibility for unemployment resources by allowing laid off and furloughed workers to receive larger benefits through unemployment.

“Now more than ever, our workforce is shifting and changing, so this resource provides a great opportunity for workers to use this time to expand their skillset and adapt to the post-COVID economy,” continued Yednock. “Rebuilding our local economy, creating new high-wage jobs and helping laid off workers return to work are some of my top priorities as our communities continue to recover.”