THE IT WORKFORCE ACCELERATOR SUSTAINABILITY PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO GROW THE IT/TECH WORKFORCE ECOSYSTEM IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND CREATE A SELF-SUSTAINING, FEE-FOR-SERVICE FUNDING MODEL THAT WILL BE INSTITUTIONALIZED POST-GRANT. THE IT WORKFORCE ACCELERATOR (ITWA) SECTORAL PARTNERSHIP, ESTABLISHED IN 2022 THROUGH A GOOD JOBS CHALLENGE GRANT, WILL CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED BY A GROWING SECTORAL PARTNERSHIP THAT INCLUDES OVER 100 ACTIVE INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND 65 STAKEHOLDERS AIMED TO EXPAND EXISTING PROGRAMS- PARTICULARLY INCREASING APPRENTICESHIPS. CRITICAL WORKFORCE SHORTAGES REMAIN TO HIRE MORE WORKERS IN IT AND IT- IMPACTED JOBS IN HEALTHCARE AND MANUFACTURING FROM 2025 TO 2027. THIS PROJECT WILL HELP ADDRESS THE IT/TECH WORKFORCE SHORTAGES IN IT HEALTHCARE AND MANUFACTURING BY EXPANDING EMPLOYER-DRIVEN TRAINING AND BY PLACING APPROXIMATELY 333 INDIVIDUALS IN QUALITY JOBS.SERVICE AREA: 18 COUNTIES WITHIN 45 MILES OF ICC'S EAST PEORIA CAMPUS: BUREAU COUNTY, IL; DE WITT COUNTY, IL; FULTON COUNTY, IL; HENRY COUNTY, IL; KNOX COUNTY, IL; LA SALLE COUNTY, IL; LIVINGSTON COUNTY, IL; LOGAN COUNTY, IL; MCLEAN COUNTY, IL; MARSHALL COUNTY, IL; MASON COUNTY, IL; MENARD COUNTY, IL; PEORIA COUNTY, IL; PUTNAM COUNTY, IL; STARK COUNTY, IL; TAZEWELL COUNTY, IL; WARREN COUNTY, IL; WOODFORD COUNTY, ILOUTCOMES:?ENROLLED IN TRAINING: 756?JOB PLACEMENTS: 333