(IOCI RADIO) – Gov. J.B. Pritzker is kicking off a new initiative to get students ready for a job in the construction trades.

The governor announced a nearly $10 million investment in the “Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program” earlier this month and grants have been awarded around the state.

Grantees are already recruiting a diverse group of participants and are expected to help more than 1,000 people get a jump-start on a career in the construction industry.