Unions have been taking hits from embattled black Aldermen, especially those who chose to oppose the Living Wage Ordinance last summer. They unions came out in force this election to show their muscle. The results seemed to have been mixed but a few Aldermen are in trouble especially in the runoffs coming up this month. Note to read last night's post.
Well I guess now we see a proposal that will address this..
Members of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus announced Sunday a $6 million job-training initiative to help blacks enter the building and construction trades.
Rep. Marlow Colvin (D-Chicago), House chairman of the caucus, said the state money will fund apprenticeship-training programs that will get people on the path to jobs such as electrician, plumber and carpenter. The program will include academic training and on-the-job instruction.
"We're talking about lifelong careers, careers that create opportunities to buy homes, save for children's education, save for vacations and all the amenities that make up the American dream," Colvin said.
Colvin said the initiative -- called the Access to Opportunities Grant Program -- was created in partnership with the Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council and the governor's office.
Sen. Kwame Raoul (D-Chicago), Senate chairman of the caucus, said it was the first time since the 1970s that black political leaders in Illinois were able to meet with trade union representatives and work out a mutually agreeable plan to encourage more blacks to enter the field.
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Colvin and Raoul said that they are taking proposals from groups interested in setting up the training program and that it's too early to know how many people could be enrolled and exactly how the training would work.
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