GPEDC | Regional Workforce Solutions
Employer Resources
Welcome to your portal to workforce success. We have carefully curated the greatest assets to our region's workforce ecosystem and have made it possible to learn more and connect in just a couple of quick clicks. Find your solution from the options below!
Greater Peoria's Workforce Ecosystem
Greater Peoria has a robust ecosystem of Workforce Solutions with programming spanning individuals' entire lives - from career exploration as a K12 student to training opportunities for workers to retool and find more rewarding careers through retirement and helping to share that knowledge with a new generation.
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Our region takes pride in our ability to collaborate across property lines to scale our efforts and ensure equitable availability and access to all programs for anyone who calls Greater Peoria home. The collective efforts have brought countless opportunities to those typically underserved and underrepresented, to women, to those identifying as LGBTQ+, to those with disabilities, and to those facing systemic barriers to employment so that our workforce can continue to grow and remain resilient to meet ever-changing business needs.
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Continue scrolling to find the right partners to support your current challenges.
Building Inclusive Talent Pipelines
There are incredible organizations throughout Greater Peoria that serve underrepresented populations and provide career-readiness training for individuals to help them prepare for successful employment. Working with these organizations can give you access to a vast new pool of talent that often are supported by various wraparound services to help make sure they are successful before, during, and after the hiring process. These groups include individuals from high-poverty neighborhoods, individuals with disabilities, neurodivergent individuals, justice-impacted individuals, those who speak English as a second language, and individuals who immigrated to the United States, among others.
Career & Technical Education (CTE)
Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs in Greater Peoria provide instruction for careers in high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand occupations. CTE programs continue to strengthen students' technical skills and articulate transitions to postsecondary programs, employment, or both. Our region is supported by the oversight of Education for Employment (EFE) offices supporting quality CTE programs at multiple high schools in their districts. Additionally, CTE programs are funded through the STAMP grant, Perkins Innovation & Modernization grant, and supported by organizations like NIU's EdSystems, ISAC, and the Illinois Education and Career Success Network, from which Greater Peoria is recognized as a leadership community in CTE programming.
Apprenticeship Solutions
Employers throughout Greater Peoria are discovering a new type of employee. They create our future workforce, lift up our communities, and help grow your business. We call them an apprentice. There are several ways to enable apprenticeships for your talent pipeline. Use the links below to find the right partner for your employment needs.
Training & Upskilling Solutions
Industry standards and technology are advancing at an increasingly rapid pace. While it is critical to maintain a talent pipeline for future openings at your business, it is also essential to invest resources to ensure your existing employees are ready to meet the changing demands of new tools, processes, and technology. Training and upskilling also provide opportunities to prepare your employees for growth opportunities and to take on more responsibilities rather than needing to source and recruit external talent to your organization.
Collaborative Workforce Groups
Greater Peoria has an incredible sense of collaboration and cooperation and employs a regional approach to economic development and workforce development. Several groups come together frequently to identify challenges and to design solutions and programs to overcome those challenges. The Regional Workforce Alliance is a collective impact organization that spans our region and drives efforts to ensure that 60% of adults in the region have a post-secondary credential. Efforts like Talent Pipeline Management highlight the cooperative spirit where even competing business comes together to create pipelines to keep critical roles staffed, and industry-specific groups like the Greater Peoria Manufacturing Network, Strategic Manufacturing Group, AgTech Connect, and Illiinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium drive continued interest in careers in their specific industries and support career exploration events to reach young students and inspire their plans for the future.
Tax Credits & Incentives
The State of Illinois and several municipalities throughout Greater Peoria offer a wide range of tax credits for hiring individuals from opportunity populations as well as incentives for businesses to locate and expand in the state and in our region. If you want to discuss your specific business situation to get a personalized list of potential incentives please reach out to the Greater Peoria EDC.
HR & Staffing Support
Greater Peoria is known for its collaboration and support of one another - businesses are no exception to this. With incredible regional strengths in HR from leading multi-industry, global Fortune 50 organizations and experience leading World Class institutions in Health Care, Manufacturing, Engineering, Agriculture, and more, the network of HR Professionals and shared knowledge of HR consultants and staffing experts can help you solve your workforce attraction and retention challenges with no problem at all.
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Whether you are looking for an expert second opinion, or you need help crafting a strategy from the ground up, you'll find the expertise you seek right here in Greater Peoria.
CareerLink & Illinois WorkNet Resources
CareerLink operates through the Illinois workNet Center to link diverse talent to businesses in need of recruiting, hiring, and training assistance. This workforce system functions under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which offers essential tools to meet the changing demands of the modern economy and help companies remain competitive within their industry. They offer Incumbent Worker Training, On-The-Job Training, Apprenticeship Assistance, and Hiring Events for employers across every industry.
Illinois Dept. of Employment Security
IDES supports economic growth and stability in Illinois and Greater Peoria by providing Employment Services to Illinois residents and employers, analyzing and disseminating essential Labor Market information, and administering Unemployment Services Programs. They assist employers with a range of workforce, hiring, layoff aversion, and training needs, including promoting job openings in Illinois Job Link, assisting with verifying WOTC information, and can help employers access Fidelity Bonds
