Governor Announces Job Training Funds For High-Tech Company

SPRINGFIELD - Governor George H. Ryan today announced $113,340 in Industrial Training Program funds to help Champaign-based SAIC train new and existing workers in advanced technologies and processes.

"If we are to successfully compete in the high-paced global economy, we must make sure that our workers are trained for the challenges of the 21st century," Ryan said. "My administration is committed to providing Illinois workers with the resources they need to succeed in today's competitive marketplace."

SAIC, a highly-ranked technology, research and development company will use the award to provide training to 40 employees. SAIC recently acquired DEMACO in Champaign and will train workers in the Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Model processes. The training is unique in that SAIC is creating a "Phase I" training capacity for high-end technology training for the Champaign area. SAIC-DEMACO will create the groundwork for changing the software development process that will not only improve SAIC-DEMACO's position, but will improve the competitiveness of other local technology firms.

The newly trained employees will train employees of other small and medium-sized technology-related companies in the area and throughout the state. By upgrading the skills of technology employees, SAIC-DEMACO will be able to obtain additional government contracts and raise the quality and timeliness of software development capabilities.

This training will be unique to Champaign, could potentially increase the workforce at the Champaign facility, and, most importantly, will allow work to be completed in Illinois that potentially to be contracted elsewhere.

The Illinois Industrial Training Program is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs (DCCA). "The Champaign area is a sought-after location for high-tech companies," said DCCA Director Pam McDonough. "I'm pleased that we are able to use our ITP funds to help companies grow and train their workforces throughout Illinois.

Last month Ryan was in Champaign to break ground for a new research and technology park on the campus of the University of Illinois. The governor's proposed $1.9 billion VentureTECH initiative will support construction of an $8 million technology incubator that will foster technology innovations and help high-tech start-up firms develop their ideas.