Representatives from the East Central Illinois Building Trades presented a pre‑apprenticeship program to the Urbana City Council on July 28, outlining a 13‑week, 16‑hours‑per‑week curriculum that introduces participants to multiple construction trades and helps place graduates into apprenticeship programs.

Program leaders said the pre‑apprenticeship operates primarily out of the Local 1409 training center in Savoy (1005 South Dunlap) with sessions on Tuesday and Thursday evenings and full Saturdays; the current cohort size is about 20–24 students and the program has placed six participants into local trades including sheet metal, plumbers and pipefitters, cement masons and ironworkers.

Justin McMullen, coordinator and instructor, described the program as “a vigorous 13 weeks” of hands‑on instruction and said instructors actively recruit and coach applicants; Chuck Black, business manager and East Central Illinois Building Trades board member, noted the program has been supported by grants and county and state entities and that the group hopes to expand city‑specific outreach. Traydon (Trey) Woods, a first‑year sheet‑metal apprentice and program graduate, said the course built his confidence and helped him win a union placement.

Program financing: Presenters said the course has used a mix of Champaign County grant money, American Rescue Plan (ARP) funds for a summer launch, and other state and local supports. A stipend of $2,700 was described for participants who complete the required approximately 182 hours of instruction over the 13‑week term; staff emphasized attendance requirements tied to the stipend.

Partnerships and pathways: The program partners with the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) workforce group, Parkland College (for dual‑credit cohorts for high‑school juniors and seniors), and local union apprenticeship schools that may host site visits and supplemental instruction. The presenters said capacity depends on instructor availability and that class size has ranged from 20 to 24 so far. Outreach methods include billunion.com and coordinated local advertising; applicants complete an online form and staff follow up by phone.

Council members expressed interest in city support for local outreach and possible funding options. Mayor Williams and council members praised the program’s record of placing participants and its emphasis on recruiting underrepresented applicants; Williams said staff would work with the presenters on an “Urbana‑specific outreach” push and potential city partnerships.

Next steps: Presenters will follow up with city staff and have been directed to coordinate with Urbana schools and workforce partners to expand recruiting for future cohorts.