Governor JB Pritzker visited AAR Corp. at the Chicago Rockford International Airport in Rockford, Illinois, on Thursday, January 26th. The governor announced a $2.6 million grant to AAR and The Workforce Connection (TWC) to support and expand AAR’s apprenticeships, pipeline development, and workforce training. “This grant will assist our region in meeting workforce needs in the growing aviation industry and provide high-wage technical jobs to our region,” said Dr. Gina Caronna, executive director of TWC.

This grant award is the result of local and state collaboration by Illinois’ Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, AAR Corp., the City of Rockford, The Workforce Connection, Inc., Rock Valley College, and state and local government officials. Partnerships like these strengthen our region and our local workforce.

“When we invest in Rockford’s airport and the programs it boasts, we invest in Rockford’s people — advancing opportunity for every Northern Illinoisan,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois is already a transportation powerhouse, and by working closely with our state’s powerhouse aviation companies, we are laying the groundwork to keep our communities connected and competitive for years to come.”