20,189

.422

Total Active Apprentices

.Total Programs

Illinois was the shining star during the 9th Annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) festivities, leading the US with a whopping 23% of all proclamations and 17% of all events nationwide! Daniel Serota, Chair of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board’s Apprenticeship Committee and VP of Government & Public Affairs at AON, represented the state and got the honor of presenting Governor Pritzker’s proclamation recognizing apprenticeship expansion efforts. That's a total of 114 proclamations, and 239 events held in-person and virtually in Illinois alone (with 478 proclamations and 1,380 events in the entire nation).

National Apprenticeship Week in Illinois kicked off with a bang! Heartland Community College hosted a snazzy Apprentice Signing event, where Daniel Serota and DCEO Assistant Director, Cameron Joost, presented Governor Pritzker's proclamation to President Cornille. Plus, Debra Cremeens-Risinger, the State Director of US DOL Office of Apprenticeship, brought the DOL approved standards for Heartland's shiny new nursing apprenticeship program. Talk about a star-studded affair! Employers like Carle Health, Bridgestone, Ferrero, and Rivian were all there to show their support. Oh, and a special shout-out to our IWIB member and Bloomington's Mayor, Mboka Mwilambwe, for joining in on the fun! Read more below!

Tuesday, November 14

Released the official announcement of the inaugural Apprenticeship Ambassador cohort via LinkedIn and Facebook.

Wednesday, November 15

Talent Pipeline Management Webinar

Wednesday, November 15

Chicago Apprentice Network Event

United Airlines hosted the Chicago Apprentice Network (CAN) event with Acting US Secretary of Labor Julie Su as guest speaker. Daniel Serota presented proclamations to United Airlines, Accenture, Zurich, and Aon for their work in providing quality apprenticeships and championing apprenticeships to other employers. Other partners attending included the Business Roundtable, P33, i.c.stars, and International Brotherhood of Teamsters.

Thursday, November 16

Apprenticeship in New and Emerging Industries: Climate and Equitable Jobs Act(CEJA) Webinar

Thursday, November 16

Governor's State University Signing and Proclamation Ceremony

Daniel Serota presented GSU's acting president Dr. Corey Bradford, with the Governor's proclamation. Debra Cremeens-Risinger signed in GSU's suply-chain apprenticeship program. Ryan Marks, the president of UESCO Industries, the first employer to sign onto GSU's Industrial Production Manager program, also spoke. (Video)

Thursday, November 16

Unite Here Chicago Hospital Institute (UHCHI)

Unite Here Chicago Hospital Institute (UHCHI) Advancing Equity Through Apprenticeships Banquet and Graduation Ceremony. Daniel Serota presented a proclamation to Executive Director Sheryl Morris (IWIB member). Banquet was prepared by the apprentices, followed by a ceremony for the graduates.

Friday, November 17

Highlighting IL Apprentices Webinar

Friday, November 17

National Apprenticeship Week in Metro East

John Michel, retired Air Force General and co-founder of Soulcial Kitchen in Swansea, IL, State Representatives Jay Hoffman and Katie Stuart were in attendance, and Daniel Serota issued proclamations:

• Mac Medical – Awarding their first welding apprenticeship certificates
• McKendree University – Started the first Teacher apprenticeship program in IL
• Soulcial Kitchen – The first food truck apprenticeship in the country
• St. Clair County Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA 24) for work in expanding apprenticeships.

Friday, November 17

National Apprenticeship Week in Metro East

At Gateway Center Collinsville, IL (click link for photos) (Apprenticeships for high schoolers with disabilities), State Representative Amy Elik was in attendance, and Daniel Serota, along with Tony Fuhrmann, Director at Madison County Employment and Training (LWIA 22), issued 6 proclamations in total to:

• City of Collinsville and Collinsville High School
• ACT and Edwardsville High School
• West Start Aviation and Civic Memorial High School

Governor Pritzker's Proclamation

Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Apprenticeship Committee Proclamation

House of Representatives Declares National Apprenticeship Week Proclamation 

Say hello to the Apprentice Ambassadors, the newest team on the block! These trailblazers are here to spread the word on Apprenticeship programs, sharing their own fabulous experiences and inspiring others to jump on board.



These awesome ambassadors will act as mentors and advocates, providing feedback and tips to help anybody interested in the world of Apprenticeships.

And that's not all! Employers who support these rad Ambassadors will be hailed as Apprenticeship Champions in Illinois. So, let's get ready to shine a light on this amazing program as the inaugural cohort of Apprentice Ambassadors blaze a trail from January to December 2024!

Kandis Draw

The HAP Foundation

Oak Brook

Aaron Henry

Zurich North America

Schaumburg

Cody Myles

North American Lighting

Paris

Millenia Wells

Memorial Hospital

Belleville

Gayle Edwards

Northwestern Medicine

Chicago

Alan Rodriguez

UNITE HERE Local 1 Chicago

Bianca Harmon

Mcdonalds

Chicago

Morgan Arnold

Aon Corporation

Chicago

Nathan Shook

Accenture

Chicago

Martha Martinez

Hyatt Regency McCormick

Chicago

Zoe Pierce

Zeller Construction Marion

National Apprenticeship Week in Metro East

Governor's State University Signing and Proclamation Ceremony

Heartland Community College launches National Apprenticeship Week with special signing ceremony.

Region Marks National Apprenticeship Week During November - Illinois Business Journal

Business Roundtable Releases Case Study on Success of Apprenticeship Networks and Importance of Skills-Based Learning

Fox Valley Building Trades Apprenticeship Expo North Central Illinois Fishing Trades

Lake Land College Holds Celebratory Luncheon for National Apprenticeship Week

2023 National Apprenticeship Week Celebration - Lake Land College