IDOT Signs $2M HCPTP Agreement with SIUE, SWIC, and MEBCO, 9/12/08

IDOT Signs $2M HCPTP Agreement with SIUE, SWIC, and MEBCO
(EDWARDSVILLE, Ill.) Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Southwestern Illinois College and the Metro-East Black Contractors Organization (MEBCO) have formed an educational partnership to administer a new $2 million Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Highway Construction Preparatory Training Program (HCPTP) to help ensure a diversified road construction workforce by helping minorities gain employment in local highway construction projects.
The program was formed to ensure a diverse, properly trained workforce is in place for future road construction projects, including the proposed Mississippi River bridge. Illinois Sen. James F. Clayborne Jr. (D-East St. Louis) and Illinois Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville), working with MEBCO and IDOT, approached SIUE and SWIC to help administer the training program. At a news conference yesterday, IDOT Sect. Milton Sees thanked Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich as well as Clayborne, Hoffman, members of MEBCO for their vision for this program. He also stated, “The HCPTP is designed to provide opportunities for employment diversity and the preparation of individuals for placement and retention in highway construction apprenticeship programs associated with the highway construction industry.”
Clayborne called the HCPTP, “an opportunity for young people to learn the skills necessary to gain access to apprenticeship positions within the construction industry. The Mississippi River bridge project—and the expected shortage of skilled labor needed to complete the project—holds great hope that students enrolling in this program will help meet this workforce need.”
Under the HCPTP agreement, MEBCO will provide marketing, recruitment and mentoring resources for the program, while SWIC will provide admission procedures, conduct training classes, and also administer a scholarship/stipend component for the program. SIUE will have administrative overview responsibilities. MEBCO President William Mason thanked Sen. Clayborne, IDOT, SIUE and SWIC for helping provide “unprecedented job opportunities for minorities and women” in Metro East. “We look forward to the cooperation of the unions and contractors, and we are excited about the positive economic impact this program stands to have on East St. Louis and the surrounding communities.”
SWIC President Georgia Costello said the HCPTP agreement “extends our longstanding partnership” with SIUE. “More 2007 SIUE graduates transferred from SWIC than any other college, and this new program will benefit minority students. Contractors will serve to enhance that joint productivity between our two institutions.” SIUE Chancellor Vaughn Vandegrift echoed the sentiment. “SWIC and SIUE have had a longstanding tradition of working together for the benefit of the region,” Vandegrift said. “Our two institutions have not only helped students reach their full potential but the result of that endeavor has significantly strengthened the region’s workforce. The HCPTP also will go a very long way in helping further our economic development efforts.”
Also on hand was SIU President Glenn Poshard who said the joint venture, “between two of the leading educational institutions in the Metro-East area, represents a bold effort to close the opportunity gap that has historically existed for minority students interested in pursuing a career” in the construction trades. “I applaud Secretary Sees, President Costello, Chancellor Vandegrift, President Mason and area legislators for their vision and leadership on this very important social concern.”
As chair of the Illinois House Transportation Committee, Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Collinsville), who could not attend the news conference, praised efforts in a prepared statement in creating the HCPTP agreement. “We are all well aware of the economic benefits that are accruing to the Metro-East as a result of the expansion and reconstruction of I-64, but a fundamental part of that project was to also address community concerns about the low participation levels of minority workers and contractors,“ Hoffman said. “Today's announcement is a direct result of all parties sitting down and working together to put in place this very important job training initiative.”