O’FALLON, Ill. – The Southern Illinois Builders Association announces that 40 high schools throughout Southern Illinois have been selected to receive $500 grants to support building trades and vocational education classes in 2025—an increase from 30 grant recipients in 2024.
The grants are part of SIBA’s ongoing commitment to promote careers in the construction industry and help schools strengthen their technical education programs that prepare students for in-demand jobs in the skilled trades.
“This record number of grant recipients demonstrates a growing interest in vocational education and the importance of preparing students for high-wage, high-demand careers in construction,” said Donna Richter, CEO of SIBA. “We are proud to support these schools and the next generation of skilled trades professionals.”
Each selected school will receive a $500 grant to be used for classroom resources, tools, or other equipment that supports hands-on learning in construction-related education. Schools are encouraged to share photos of how the funds are used and to request stickers provided by SIBA to label any items purchased.
The 2025 grant recipients include:
- Anna-Jonesboro Community High School
- Carlyle CUSD #1
- Carmi-White County High School
- Central Community High School
- Centralia High School
- Civic Memorial High School
- Columbia High School
- Coulterville High School
- Dupo Junior/Senior High School
- East Alton-Wood River High School
- Effingham High School
- Fairfield Community High School 225
- Frankfort Community High School
- Freeburg Community High School
- Hamilton County Jr./Sr. High School
- Herrin High School
- Highland High School
- Hillsboro High School
- Jersey Community High School
- Lawrenceville High School
- Meridian CUSD 101
- Mount Carmel High School
- Mt. Vernon High School
- North Clay Unit #25
- North Greene High School
- Northwestern High School
- O’Fallon Township High School
- Okaw Area Vocational Center
- Okawville High School
- Pope County High School
- Richland County High School
- SCI-Litchfield CUSD #12
- Sparta High School
- Steeleville High School
- Teutopolis Unit 50 High School
- Thompsonville CUSD #174
- Vienna High School
- Waterloo High School
- Wesclin High School
- Zeigler-Royalton High School
SIBA continues to seek opportunities to support and collaborate with high schools that offer vocational and technical education related to the construction industry.
Schools are encouraged to report their class offerings and request classroom visits by construction industry professionals by contacting Donna Richter at