Recent studies have shown that up to 94% of employees would stay at a company longer if it invested in its employees, reinforcing the need for companies of all sizes to provide hard and soft skill training to its workforce. Common barriers of providing employee training are often the cost and time needed to implement the training. A new program from the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce helps solve both those problems by providing grants of up to 50% off the cost of trainings designed and implemented by Illinois Business Innovation Services (IL BIS).
“We’ve already awarded more than $500,000 in grant funding to 59 companies who have been able to advantage of this great opportunity to upskill their workforces,” said Jack Lavin, President and CEO of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. “At the Chicagoland Chamber, we are focused on ensuring our region has the workforce needed to compete in today’s highly competitive global economy. This training grant provides our members with another resource for them to attract and retain talent.”
Illinois BIS offers more than 75 hard and soft skills trainings needed for today’s job market. In addition, they are able to customize trainings based on a company’s unique workforce development needs. Popular trainings include leadership, strategy and innovation, Lean/Six Sigma, quality and process improvement, customer service skills, professional English, business writing, and operations and technical skills training.
“Our partnership with the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce has extended the reach of Illinois BIS programs to a new level,” said Todd Stukenberg, President and CEO of Illinois Business Innovation Services. “The missions of both organizations involve providing key support to businesses throughout Illinois to ensure their success and the growth of opportunity in Illinois. This grant funding is truly putting that in action and having a tremendous impact on employers and employees alike.”
Grants are available to new and existing members of the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce. Grant recipients must have an Illinois presence and employees receiving the training must be full-time. Reimbursement is up to 50% off the cost of all eligible training, including books, instruction and materials.
For more information about the employee training grant, contact Kristin Roadman, Director of Talent Programs at the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, at kroadman@chicagolandchamber.org or call 312-494-6718.