Governors State receives $130K to support education, workforce development

Amazon Awards (3)

The Community Foundation of Will County (CFWC) recently awarded Governors State University more than $130,000 for two programs to train early childhood educators and machinists through partnerships with local school districts and community colleges in Will County.

A $60,000 grant will fund the university’s efforts to develop and launch an eighteen-month paraprofessional to early childhood educator career pathways program to fill a void in schools and community-based early childhood centers.

In addition, a $71,000 grant will allow the university to develop and implement an eighteen-month manufacturing automation upskilling program through the School of Extended Learning (SXL). The program will strengthen partnerships with the county, engage employers and schools in building pipelines for a strong labor market, fill immediate workforce recruitment needs for CNC Machinists, and build GSU’s institutional capacity in Manufacturing Automation continuing education. Current workers will benefit as well by improving their skills to move into supervisory positions.

Both grants were made possible by a donation Amazon provided to CFWC in 2021. The grant was earmarked to support local workforce development and education in Will County. The CFWC divided that donation into four grants and announced them on Friday.

GSU President Cheryl Green said the university is grateful to have received two of the four grants, which will allow the university to continue making an economic impact in the region.

“I am honored that the Community Foundation of Will County has selected Governors State to receive $131,000 to support students, who in turn, graduate and continue supporting the community. Ninety percent of our graduates remain in the area—working, living, and improving communities near and far. Their contributions impact local and state economies to create growth.”