<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="prntac"><i xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Inves...

<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="prntac"><i xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Investment will focus on reducing barriers to training, defining in-demand skills for future jobs and connecting individuals to careers in manufacturing</i></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="legendSpanClass">IRVING, Texas</span>, <span xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="legendSpanClass">July 29, 2026</span> /PRNewswire/ -- Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/CAT">CAT</a>) today announced the launch of its workforce commitment in Illinois, the most recent investment in its five-year, $100 million <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4741217-1&amp;h=319733436&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fedge.prnewswire.com%2Fc%2Flink%2F%3Ft%3D0%26l%3Den%26o%3D4723925-1%26h%3D588676835%26u%3Dhttps%253A%252F%252Fwww.caterpillar.com%252Fen%252Fcompany%252Fcorporate-responsibility%252Fcorporate-giving%252Fbuilding-the-future-workforce.html%26a%3DBuilding%2Bthe%2BFuture%2BWorkforce%2BInitiative&amp;a=Building+the+Future+Workforce+Initiative" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Building the Future Workforce Initiative</a>. With an allocation of up to $10 million, the funding aims to prepare workers across Illinois for the modern manufacturing and industry technician jobs of the future.</p>
    <div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="PRN_ImbeddedAssetReference" id="DivAssetPlaceHolder1">
                <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
                    <img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" src="https://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS1960314/25_Cat_Brand_Mossville_052225-231.jpg?id=OA2799053" title="Caterpillar is allocating up to $10 million in Illinois to prepare workers for the manufacturing jobs of the future." alt="Caterpillar is allocating up to $10 million in Illinois to prepare workers for the manufacturing jobs of the future."></img>
                </p>
    </div>
<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">&#34;Caterpillar&#39;s roots run deep in Illinois, and so does our commitment to building a strong and skilled workforce,&#34; said Christy Pambianchi, Caterpillar&#39;s chief human resources officer. &#34;This investment builds on that legacy, helping ensure people have a clear path to manufacturing careers today while equipping the next generation of Illinoisans with the skills they need to succeed.&#34;</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Why Illinois?</b></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Backed by a strong manufacturing base and Caterpillar&#39;s extensive footprint, Illinois provides an ideal environment to advance innovative workforce development initiatives. Caterpillar employs more than 17,000 people across Illinois, including major manufacturing sites as well as the company&#39;s downtown Peoria offices.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">&#34;Caterpillar&#39;s commitment to strengthening our workforce will help more Illinoisans get the skills they need to successfully enter the workforce and ensure our manufacturers have the talent they need to grow and compete,&#34; said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. &#34;I&#39;m proud to work alongside their team as we create more pathways to good-paying careers and solidify Illinois&#39; global manufacturing leadership.&#34;</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Today&#39;s announcement, held at Caterpillar&#39;s Edwards Demonstration &amp; Learning Center, marks the launch of an effort that will extend across multiple Illinois communities where the company has a manufacturing footprint, including East Peoria, Mapleton, Morton, Pontiac and Decatur. Illinois offers the infrastructure, talent and educational institutions needed to develop innovative training models that could be replicated across the country.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Caterpillar&#39;s investment will strengthen collaboration between Illinois training institutions and employers so individuals receive more accessible, affordable and relevant training that leads to career advancement; implement outreach and engagement programs to build understanding of modern manufacturing among Illinois students, parents and educators; explore innovative training and financing models so workers can access cutting-edge, community-tailored programs; and share successful innovation models and best practices with the wider industry.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">To advance these efforts across the state, Caterpillar is collaborating with leading organizations to strengthen pathways in manufacturing and industrial skills for the current and future workforce. Collaborators include, but are not limited to, the Greater Peoria Leadership Council, the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur &amp; Macon County, the Livingston Area Career Center and Heartland Community College.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">This marks the fourth allocation for this initiative, which includes two state launches and an <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4741217-1&amp;h=17145037&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.caterpillar.com%2Fen%2Fcompany%2Fcorporate-responsibility%2Fcorporate-giving%2Fworkforce-innovation-challenge.html&amp;a=innovation+challenge" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">innovation challenge</a>. For more information on how these funds are upskilling talent for manufacturing and industry technician roles, and to stay up to date on future announcements, visit the <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4741217-1&amp;h=3483798020&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.caterpillar.com%2Fen%2Fcompany%2Fcorporate-responsibility%2Fcorporate-giving%2Fbuilding-the-future-workforce.html&amp;a=Caterpillar+Building+the+Future+Workforce+Initiative" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Caterpillar Building the Future Workforce Initiative</a>.</p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><b xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">About Caterpillar</b><br xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"></br>For more than a century, Caterpillar has built a better, more sustainable world. With 2025 sales and revenues of $67.6 billion, Caterpillar Inc. is shaping the future as the world&#39;s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. Backed by one of the largest independent global dealer networks and financing services through Cat Financial, the company&#39;s primary business segments: Power &amp; Energy, Construction Industries and Resource Industries are solving customers&#39; toughest challenges through commercial excellence and advanced technology, driven by a highly skilled, dedicated global team. Learn more at <a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" href="https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4741217-1&amp;h=1197355315&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.caterpillar.com&amp;a=www.caterpillar.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.caterpillar.com</a>.</p>
<div xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" class="PRN_ImbeddedAssetReference" id="DivAssetPlaceHolder2">
                <p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
                    <img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" src="https://mmx.prnewswire.com/media/MS627191/Caterpillar-Logo.jpg?id=OA2795556" title="Caterpillar Inc" alt="Caterpillar Inc"></img>
                </p>
</div>



<p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="PURL"><img xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" title="Cision" width="12" height="12" alt="Cision" src="https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/img/favicon.png?sn=CG14542&amp;sd=2026-07-29"></img> View original content to download multimedia:<a xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" id="PRNURL" rel="nofollow" href="https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/caterpillar-invests-in-the-future-of-manufacturing-talent-in-illinois-302837934.html" target="_blank">https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/caterpillar-invests-in-the-future-of-manufacturing-talent-in-illinois-302837934.html</a></p><p xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">SOURCE Caterpillar Inc.</p>

Caterpillar Invests in the Future of Manufacturing Talent in Illinois

Caterpillar commits up to $10 million in Illinois to build future manufacturing workforce

<section class="insight" data-version="1">
  <section data-block="information">
    <h3>Information</h3>
    <p>&lt;p xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot; class=&quot;prntac&quot;&gt;&lt;i xmlns=&quot;http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml&quot;&gt;Inves...</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-paragraph">
    <h3>AI Summary</h3>
    <p>Caterpillar announced up to $10 million in Illinois as part of its five-year, $100 million Building the Future Workforce Initiative. The funds target reducing training barriers and aligning skills with in-demand manufacturing roles across Illinois sites such as East Peoria and Decatur. The program could improve the local talent pipeline, potentially boosting productivity and long-term capacity.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="ai-summary-bullets">
    <h3>Key Points</h3>
    <ul><li>Caterpillar launches $10M Illinois workforce program. Supports future manufacturing jobs.</li><li>Part of a five-year, $100M initiative.</li><li>Illinois projects include East Peoria, Mapleton, Morton, Pontiac, Decatur.</li><li>Gov. Pritzker endorses program; aims to solidify manufacturing leadership.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="companies-mentioned">
    <h3>Companies Mentioned</h3>
    <ul><li><strong>Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)</strong>: Primary beneficiary and driver of the initiative; potential long-term productivity gains.</li><li><strong>Greater Peoria Leadership Council (N/A)</strong>: Collaborator aiding program rollout in the Peoria region; non-public organization.</li><li><strong>Economic Development Corporation of Decatur &amp; Macon County (N/A)</strong>: Collaborator supporting funding and deployment across central Illinois.</li><li><strong>Livingston Area Career Center (N/A)</strong>: Training partner helping connect residents to manufacturing roles.</li><li><strong>Heartland Community College (N/A)</strong>: Education partner aiding workforce upskilling and curriculum alignment.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="category">
    <h3>Corporate Developments</h3>
    <p>Category fits Corporate Developments; highlights a strategic CSR/program investment with potential long-run labor and productivity benefits for CAT.</p>
  </section>

  <section data-block="market-moving">
    <h3>Market-Moving</h3>
    <ul><li>Long-term labor-cost efficiency tailwinds from a trained workforce.</li><li>Illinois footprint benefits from access to skilled manufacturing talent.</li><li>No near-term revenue uplift; catalysts expected in the 1–2 year window.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="key-facts">
    <h3>Key Facts</h3>
    <ul><li>Initiative is part of Caterpillar&#039;s five-year, $100 million Building the Future Workforce Initiative.</li><li>Up to $10 million allocated to Illinois workforce efforts.</li><li>Program launched July 29, 2026.</li><li>Caterpillar employs more than 17,000 people across Illinois.</li><li>Communities involved include East Peoria, Mapleton, Morton, Pontiac and Decatur.</li></ul>
  </section>

  <section data-block="trading-thesis">
    <h3>Trading Thesis</h3>
    <p>Long CAT on mid-term productivity gains from a stronger Illinois labor pipeline over 12–24 months.</p>
  </section>
</section>


<article>
  <section id="overview" aria-labelledby="overview-title">
    <h2 id="overview-title">Overview of Caterpillar's Illinois Workforce Initiative</h2>
    <p>IRVING, Texas — Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) today announced the launch of its workforce commitment in Illinois, the latest investment in its five-year, $100 million <strong>Building the Future Workforce Initiative</strong>. With an allocation of up to <strong>$10 million</strong>, the funding aims to prepare workers across Illinois for the modern manufacturing and industry technician jobs of the future.</p>
  </section>

  <section id="key-facts" aria-labelledby="facts-title">
    <h3 id="facts-title">Key Facts and Figures</h3>
    <ul>
      <li><strong>$10 million</strong> allocation across Illinois to prepare workers for modern manufacturing roles</li>
      <li>Part of a <strong>$100 million</strong> five-year initiative — <strong>Building the Future Workforce Initiative</strong></li>
      <li>Caterpillar employs <strong>more than 17,000</strong> people across Illinois</li>
      <li>Communities include <strong>East Peoria, Mapleton, Morton, Pontiac</strong> and <strong>Decatur</strong></li>
      <li>Announcement held at Caterpillar's <em>Edwards Demonstration & Learning Center</em></li>
    </ul>
  </section>

  <section id="relevant-quote" aria-labelledby="quote-title">
    <h3 id="quote-title">Executive Commentary</h3>
    <p>"Caterpillar's roots run deep in Illinois, and so does our commitment to building a strong and skilled workforce," said Christy Pambianchi, Caterpillar's chief human resources officer. "This investment builds on that legacy, helping ensure people have a clear path to manufacturing careers today while equipping the next generation of Illinoisans with the skills they need to succeed."</p>
  </section>

  <section id="why-illinois" aria-labelledby="why-illinois-title">
    <h3 id="why-illinois-title">Why Illinois?</h3>
    <p>Backed by a strong manufacturing base and Caterpillar's extensive footprint, Illinois provides an ideal environment to advance innovative workforce development initiatives. Caterpillar employs more than <strong>17,000</strong> people across Illinois, including major manufacturing sites as well as the company's downtown Peoria offices.</p>
    <p>"Caterpillar's commitment to strengthening our workforce will help more Illinoisans get the skills they need to successfully enter the workforce and ensure our manufacturers have the talent they need to grow and compete," said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. "I'm proud to work alongside their team as we create more pathways to good-paying careers and solidify Illinois' global manufacturing leadership."</p>
  </section>

  <section id="implementation-area" aria-labelledby="implementation-title">
    <h3 id="implementation-title">Program Implementation Across Illinois</h3>
    <p>Today's announcement, held at Caterpillar's Edwards Demonstration & Learning Center, marks the launch of an effort that will extend across multiple Illinois communities where the company has a manufacturing footprint, including East Peoria, Mapleton, Morton, Pontiac and Decatur. Illinois offers the infrastructure, talent and educational institutions needed to develop innovative training models that could be replicated across the country.</p>
    <p>Caterpillar's investment will strengthen collaboration between Illinois training institutions and employers so individuals receive more accessible, affordable and relevant training that leads to career advancement; implement outreach and engagement programs to build understanding of modern manufacturing among Illinois students, parents and educators; explore innovative training and financing models so workers can access cutting-edge, community-tailored programs; and share successful innovation models and best practices with the wider industry.</p>
  </section>

  <section id="collaboration" aria-labelledby="collaboration-title">
    <h3 id="collaboration-title">Collaboration and Partners</h3>
    <p>To advance these efforts across the state, Caterpillar is collaborating with leading organizations to strengthen pathways in manufacturing and industrial skills for the current and future workforce. Collaborators include, but are not limited to, the Greater Peoria Leadership Council, the Economic Development Corporation of Decatur & Macon County, the Livingston Area Career Center and Heartland Community College.</p>
  </section>

  <section id="program-context" aria-labelledby="program-context-title">
    <h3 id="program-context-title">Program Context and Future Outlook</h3>
    <p>This marks the <strong>fourth allocation</strong> for this initiative, which includes two state launches and an <a href="https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4741217-1&amp;h=17145037&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.caterpillar.com%2Fen%2Fcompany%2Fcorporate-responsibility%2Fcorporate-giving%2Fworkforce-innovation-challenge.html&amp;a=innovation+challenge" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"><em>innovation challenge</em></a>. For more information on how these funds are upskilling talent for manufacturing and industry technician roles, and to stay up to date on future announcements, visit the <a href="https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4741217-1&amp;h=3483798020&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.caterpillar.com%2Fen%2Fcompany%2Fcorporate-responsibility%2Fcorporate-giving%2Fbuilding-the-future-workforce.html&amp;a=Caterpillar+Building+the+Future+Workforce+Initiative" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Caterpillar Building the Future Workforce Initiative</a>.</p>
  </section>

  <section id="about-caterpillar" aria-labelledby="about-title">
    <h3 id="about-title">About Caterpillar</h3>
    <p>For more than a century, Caterpillar has built a better, more sustainable world. With 2025 sales and revenues of <strong>$67.6 billion</strong>, Caterpillar Inc. is shaping the future as the world's leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives. Backed by one of the largest independent global dealer networks and financing services through Cat Financial, the company's primary business segments: Power & Energy, Construction Industries and Resource Industries are solving customers' toughest challenges through commercial excellence and advanced technology, driven by a highly skilled, dedicated global team. Learn more at <a href="https://www.caterpillar.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.caterpillar.com</a>.</p>
  </section>
</article>

Caterpillar announced up to $10 million in Illinois as part of its five-year, $100 million Building the Future Workforce Initiative. The funds target reducing training barriers and aligning skills with in-demand manufacturing roles across Illinois sites such as East Peoria and Decatur. The program could improve the local talent pipeline, potentially boosting productivity and long-term capacity.

News insight

Caterpillar Invests in the Future of Manufacturing Talent in Illinois

AI summary

Sentiment rationale

Key facts

Corporate Developments