Governor Rauner Stresses Importance Of Vocational Training, Yet Budget Proposal Puts Training Programs On Chopping Block

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2015

Contact: Sarah Lovenheim, sarah.lovenheim@younginvincibles.org

[CHICAGO]– Yesterday, Governor Rauner spoke at the Education Writers Association and highlighted his support for vocational training, but a close look at his proposed $387 million budget cut to higher education shows such programs would lose funding.

Midwest Director of Young Invincibles Eve Rips released the following statement on why greater investment is needed to set Millennials up for the job market:

“We’re glad to see Governor Rauner stress the importance of vocational training for Millennials in Illinois, yet his proposed $387 million budget cut to higher education puts key vocational programs on the line. At Southern Illinois University, for instance, signature training programs in aviation and pharmaceutical work are on the chopping block. While we hope the Governor works to increase access to career training for young adults, an urgent first step is maintaining funding for our state’s successful higher education vocational tracks.”

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