November 15, 2021 – The Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) is highlighting the growing need for skilled Information Technology (IT) workers in Illinois and a path for acquiring the skills needed for those jobs through apprenticeship opportunities during National Apprenticeship week (Nov 15-19, 2021).
IT remains one of the most in demand skilled labor sectors in Illinois as more companies expand remote or off-site working opportunities and seek higher performing software for day-to-day operations.
Through a multi-year federal grant, ICCB has developed the Customized Apprenticeship Program- Information Technology, or CAP-IT, at ten community colleges throughout the state to help people looking for higher paying stable careers gain the skills necessary through paid work-based apprenticeships.
“The pandemic has accelerated the desire of many individuals to find opportunities that lead to better life outcomes and CAP-IT is a tremendous opportunity to be paid while training for a new career, especially those in underserved communities,” said ICCB executive director, Brian Durham.
The CAP-IT program has helped nearly 600 people since the program began in 2019, many who are minority or low-income individuals.
There are more than 32,000 current job openings in Illinois for computer technicians and over 61,000 open positions for software developers and quality analysts according to the latest Illinois Community College Economic Impact Study released in September
Just five years after graduation, Illinois community college students completing IT programs earned an average yearly salary of nearly $45,000.
Richland Community College is one of ten CAP-IT partner colleges.
