Workforce & Demographics
With a population of 388,000, the Greater Peoria Region in Central Illinois draws from a broad spectrum of talent. Greater Peoria has strong representation from those of prime working age, and the region’s attainment of at least an Associate degree is comparatively high to national averages.
Jobs in the manufacturing and durable goods industries are increasing quickly. Additionally, healthcare services and education jobs in the Peoria Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) have dominated the workforce for years — coinciding with the caregiving needs of a growing population of older adults.
State and local resources are available to help employers from every industry find talent and upskill their current teams. Whether an employer is seeking employees at the beginning of their careers or experienced professionals, the Greater Peoria Economic Development Council connects employers to networks and develops strategies that helps companies to find the right person for the job – every time.
The world is changing, and Peoria is adapting to the systematic changes relevant to the 21st century. The Greater Peoria EDC supports the development of strategies aimed at empowering all individuals within the region from cradle to career, including K-12 students, recent college graduates, and career-seeking adults. Many schools throughout the region offer career certification programs, including Pekin Community High School and Woodruff Career & Technical School. Employers can also take part in career fairs like CareerSpark — providing a regular pipeline to upcoming talent. Additionally, higher education institutions like Bradley’s Career Services Dept. , Eureka College, Illinois Central College, Saint Francis Medical Center College of Nursing and Methodist College Career Services help employers develop their workforces.
Greater Peoria shows strong representation across demographics, with an almost even split between women and men. According to the 2020 US Census, 9% of the Greater Peoria region identified as Black or African American, 3.3% as Hispanic or Latinx, and 2.24% as Asian. Across the region the labor force is strong, with 40% of the population representing workers between the ages of 25 and 54 in 2019. When considering the region’s educational attainment, the number of those with a postsecondary degree or some college education is on par with the national average.
Since 2005, Illinois workNet Center has worked with individuals, employers and educational institutions, creating partnerships to expand economic opportunity throughout the state. Up to 100% of the training cost[s] associated with an incumbent worker and 50% of the [training] cost[s] associated with new or recently hired employees can be reimbursed through Illinois work Net’s customized training programs. The center also offers partners a vast amount of free tools and resources, such as outreach materials, workforce development and virtual fair guides.
Apprenticeship Illinois is an employer-focused program that provides job seekers with on-the-job training and job-related curricula. Several apprenticeship industries are available, including advanced manufacturing, energy, healthcare, transportation and more. The organization has had 4,661 new apprentices throughout Illinois since the 2020 fiscal year with over 500 register apprenticeship programs.
Get a quick tour of the virtual CareerSpark platform from our Director of Workforce Solutions, Kari Rauh. Visit www.gpcareerspark.org to learn more.
Contact us to learn more about Greater Peoria’s talented workforce.
