RPC directors report hiring gains, workforce events and apprenticeship expansion plans

HR and program directors told the commission that RPC had 379 active employees, including 42 work-experience participants. The HR representative said the organization hired 10 employees during the reporting period and ended 2025 with a turnover rate of 23%, down 1 percentage point from the prior year; staff set a target to reduce turnover toward 15% in 2026.

Directors described recruitment campaigns, planned hiring events and collaboration with Head Start leadership on a comprehensive training program. Commissioners asked about high applicant numbers for specific positions: the Danville cook posting drew about 117 applicants, but many lacked the sanitation certification required for Head Start kitchens. Staff said starting pay for the cook role is $18.43 and that compensation increases for experienced hires.

Dr. Arnold and workforce staff described the state rollout of an updated Illinois workforce data system (IWDS) and noted RPC will oversee additional workforce areas. They also flagged a March monitoring visit by the state (covering career-counseling and fiscal practices) and said employer events with manufacturers will run across five counties before June to connect employers with training investments. RPC also recently became the intermediary for apprenticeship expansion, a role staff said was previously missing locally.

Why it matters: Staffing and workforce programming shape RPC's ability to run training, Head Start and employer-engagement initiatives. Directors emphasized recruitment, targeted hiring and employer partnerships to meet program needs.

Directors took questions from commissioners and said they will continue to report on recruitment progress, monitoring outcomes and implementation of apprenticeship activities.