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Critical Skill Shortages Initiative Targets Southwestern Illinois

Governor Rod Blagojevich recently announced the development of the Critical Skill Shortages Initiative which is designed to build a globally competitive workforce in Illinois.

The Initiative identifies occupations with a shortage of skilled workers. These jobs pay a good wage and provide quality benefits in key sectors of the regional economy. For example, the healthcare sector has been identified as having a shortage of skilled workers in southwestern Illinois. Specifically the region is experiencing a shortage of nurses as well as other health care occupations to be identified later.

Once these occupations have been identified, the root causes that led to those shortages will be examined. State and local education and training agencies will be asked to voluntarily redirect existing programs and services to address the root causes and create a reliable “supply chain” of qualified workers. On-the-job factors that contribute to shortages such as high turnover will also be addressed and solutions will be developed with employers.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will work with the Local Workforce Investment Boards to provide leadership and help direct the Governors Critical Skill Shortage Initiative in the regional workforce system. The DCEO will provide financial incentives to the region to voluntarily redirect local resources to create and redesign education and training programs to address critical skill shortages.

The Southwestern Economic Development Region encompasses nine counties which extend through three Local Workforce Areas-LWA #21 (Calhoun and Jersey), LWA #22 (Madison and Bond) and LWA #24 (Monroe, St. Clair, Clinton, Washington and Randolph). A local consortium has been formed to move the Governor’s Critical Skill Shortages Initiative forward. Once the appropriate planning has been completed the Southwestern Economic Development Region will apply for a portion of the $15 million dollars in statewide training funds.