Caterpillar Inc. announced the launch of its workforce commitment in Illinois, the most recent investment in its five-year, $100 million Building the Future Workforce Initiative. With an allocation of up to $10 million, the funding aims to prepare workers across Illinois for the modern manufacturing and industry technician jobs of the future.
"Caterpillar's roots run deep in Illinois, and so does our commitment to building a strong and skilled workforce," said Christy Pambianchi, Caterpillar's chief human resources officer. "This investment builds on that legacy, helping ensure people have a clear path to manufacturing careers today while equipping the next generation of Illinoisans with the skills they need to succeed."
Why Illinois?
Backed by a strong manufacturing base and Caterpillar's extensive footprint, Illinois provides an ideal environment to advance workforce development initiatives. Caterpillar employs more than 17,000 people across Illinois, including major manufacturing sites as well as the company's downtown Peoria offices.
"Caterpillar's commitment to strengthening our workforce will help more Illinoisans get the skills they need to successfully enter the workforce and ensure our manufacturers have the talent they need to grow and compete," said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. "I'm proud to work alongside their team as we create more pathways to good-paying careers and solidify Illinois' global manufacturing leadership."
The announcement, held at Caterpillar's Edwards Demonstration & Learning Center, marks the launch of an effort that will extend across multiple Illinois communities where the company has a manufacturing footprint, including East Peoria, Mapleton, Morton, Pontiac and Decatur. Illinois offers the infrastructure, talent and educational institutions needed to develop innovative training models that could be replicated across the country.
Caterpillar's investment will strengthen collaboration between Illinois training institutions and employers so individuals receive more accessible, affordable and relevant training that leads to career advancement; implement outreach and engagement programs to build understanding of modern manufacturing among Illinois students, parents and educators; explore training and financing models so workers can access community-tailored programs; and share successful models and best practices with the wider industry.
To advance these efforts across the state, Caterpillar is collaborating with leading organizations to strengthen pathways in manufacturing and industrial skills for the current and future workforce. Collaborators include, but are not limited to, the Greater Peoria Leadership Council, the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County, the Livingston Area Career Center and Heartland Community College.
This marks the fourth allocation for this initiative, which includes two state launches and an innovation challenge.
