CHICAGO - Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced a more than $305,000 workforce-training grant to Advanced Technology Services (ATS), the industry leader in managed services for production equipment maintenance, industrial parts repair and IT infrastructure support for manufacturers, which will allow the Peoria company to train nearly 1,000 employees in essential new skills.  Representatives from Gov. Blagojevich’s North Central region Opportunity Returns team joined ATS executives Thursday afternoon to announce the grant during a ribbon-cutting event for the company’s new “WorkForce Ready” Training Center in Peoria.

“Investing in the skills of Illinois workers is perhaps the single most important thing we can do to ensure a more robust and prosperous economy in this region and throughout the state.  This training grant will help a successful company become more efficient, productive and competitive so that it can continue to thrive on the global stage.  By working on a one-to-one level with local businesses to help them achieve their goals, we can continue to fulfill the enormous economic potential of this region,” Gov. Blagojevich said.

The grant is being awarded through the Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) and will be used to upgrade the skills of almost 1,000 employees.  ETIP is a new generation of employer-focused, customized training grants created through the “21st Century Jobs” Training Initiative.  The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) administers the ETIP grants, which reimburse companies and organizations for up to 50 percent of the costs of training their employees.   

“For ATS to receive this workforce-training grant from Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns program is truly an honor, and affirms our continuing efforts to contribute to the economic vitality of the region,” said Jeffrey Owens, President of ATS.  “The grant has helped ATS to open a new “WorkForce Ready” Training Center here in Peoria, where we are training highly skilled employees to work in the most modern and cutting-edge plants to make their factories run better.”

Over the past two years, Gov. Blagojevich’s Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP) has provided more than $3.2 million to companies in North Central Illinois to boost the skills of more than 13,000 workers.
 
ATS improves productivity and profitability for many of the world's most respected manufacturers through the managed services of production equipment maintenance, spare parts repair and information technology. Founded in 1985, ATS employs more than 1,500 people across the US and is a member of the National Association of Manufacturers.  ATS is headquartered in Peoria, IL.

“Gov. Blagojevich and I are committed to finding innovative ways to help companies tackle the complex challenges of the 21st Century global economy.  Ensuring that businesses have the resources to keep their workers’ skills on the cutting-edge is a critical part of that effort.  ATS understands that a company’s workforce is its greatest resource, and this investment is about strengthening that resource and positioning the company for continued success over the near and long term,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.

Gov. Blagojevich’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development strategy is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Illinois’ history.  Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, the Governor has divided the state into 10 regions – each with a regional team that is empowered and expected to rapidly respond to opportunities and challenges.  Opportunity Returns is about tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.  It is about upgrading the skills of the local workforce, increasing the access to capital, opening new markets, improving infrastructure, and creating and retaining jobs.  Opportunity Returns is about successfully partnering with companies and communities, both large and small, to help all of Illinois reach its economic potential.