IDOT Prepares Residents for Construction Careers

The Illinois Department of Transportation is gearing up for its next round of applications into the On-the-Job (OJT) program. Sponsored by IDOT in partnership with United Services of Chicago (USOC), the OJT program provides classroom and on-site training in construction and engineering to residents who live along the Dan Ryan.

“This program has been so successful that we’ve been able to replicate it in East St. Louis, Illinois.” said IDOT Acting Secretary Milt Sees. “We’re not just providing training we’re also creating a venue for residents to forge relationships with major engineering firms.”

Since its inception in 2005, over 200 people completed the six-month training course. To qualify for the program, applicants underwent a screening process that included aptitude testing and interviews by USOC personnel as well as nine engineering firms in the Chicago area and four engineering firms in the East St. Louis area.

“The OJT initiative is so important because we’re preparing residents from the community with transferable skills,” IDOT Chief of Staff Clayton Harris III said. “Although we diligently work to ensure equal access to get the contract numbers up, we’re also providing opportunities for people who don’t have contracting firms.”

Applications for the new class, which will begin in May, are available and will be accepted from March 5-16 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the United Services of Chicago office at 1550 W. 88th St. Applicants must be 18 years of age, have a high school diploma or GED, and pass an advanced math exam. Additional information about the OJT program and applications for the new class are available at http://www.dot.il.gov/obwd/obwdprograms.html.