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APPRENTICESHIP ILLINOIS BULLETIN
October 2024
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Apprenticeship IL 2024 Numbers | |
National Apprenticeship Week | |
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National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is an annual celebration emphasizing the significance of apprenticeships in the workforce and the community. The 10th anniversary of NAW is November 17-23, 2024. Businesses, labor leaders, educational institutions, government agencies, workforce partners, community organizations, and career seekers unite to highlight apprenticeship programs' benefits. NAW generates excitement among a diverse audience, including curious individuals, potential apprentices, employers, and prospective partners.
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Current Illinois NAW Numbers | |
Prepare for National Apprenticeship Week | |
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The weeklong celebration is an opportunity for schools, organizations, employers, sponsors, grantees, Apprenticeship Specialists, and Intermediaries to showcase programs, facilities, and apprentices while spotlighting the benefits of learning and earning.
Illinois' participation through hosting events and signing proclamations has led us to be a leader in the nation for Apprenticeship Week through the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) event and proclamation tracking.
Registered Apprenticeship programs strengthen the economy by developing a skilled workforce that meet industry needs, creating pathways for career seekers, and promoting racial and gender equity.
Stay tuned as new resources from Apprenticeship Illinois are on the way, including a Social Media toolkit, graphics, resources, templates, and flyers. Check back, as new information will be released for events (in-person and virtual) and announcements to amplify local and regional celebrations. Be sure to subscribe to the monthly Bulletin and follow us on social media for updates.
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Watch an Overview of National Apprenticeship Week to see how you can get involved ----> | |
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IWIB Apprenticeship Committee
Sponsored NAW Events
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National Apprenticeship Week Showcase Webinar
November 12, 2024 | 12:00 PM CST
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This 60-minute webinar will showcase the exciting and innovative apprenticeship programs developed by Apprenticeship Illinois grantees since the launch of the State Apprenticeship Expansion grant in 2022. | |
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2025 Apprentice Ambassador Cohort Livestream via LinkedIn
November 18, 2024 | 10:00 AM CST
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Happy National Apprenticeship Week! Take a short break from your morning and tune into the 10:00am Livestream as the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Apprenticeship Illinois Committee's Apprentice Workgroup is excited to reveal the 2024 Inaugural Apprentice Ambassador Cohort. Tune in and help us congratulate our new Ambassadors!
Speakers Include:
- Daniel Serota, VP of Government and Public Affairs at Aon and Chair of the Apprenticeship Committee
- Sheryl Morris, Executive Director of UNITE HERE Chicago Hospitality Institute and Lead of Apprentice Workgroup
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Highlighting Illinois Apprentices Webinar
November 22, 2024 | 9:00 AM CST
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Join us for an inspiring and engaging webinar featuring a dynamic panel of apprentices ready to share their unique journeys and future aspirations! Discover how they navigated the challenges of starting their careers, the skills they’ve gained, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.
Whether you’re considering building an apprenticeship, becoming an apprentice, currently enrolled, or simply curious about the future of work, this webinar is designed for you. Don’t miss out on this chance to gain valuable insights and inspiration from those who are shaping their own paths.
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Empowering Women in Tech: Pathways to Success Through Apprenticeships
November 21, 2024 | 10:00 AM CST
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Join us for an empowering panel discussion during National Apprenticeship Week 2024, designed to inspire and support women in technology! In this special webinar, "Women in Tech: Pathways to Success," leaders and apprentices from Google, CompTIA, United Airlines, and the Illinois Department of Innovation & Technology will come together to share insights, strategies and personal stories on advancing women in the tech field.
Moderated by Julio Rodriguez, Deputy Director of the Office of Employment and Training for the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, this discussion will highlight the unique opportunities and challenges women face in tech apprenticeships and career growth. Our panelists will explore how apprenticeships can open doors, share best practices for inclusive recruitment and training, and discuss how to create supportive tech environments that enable women to thrive.
Topics include:
· Building diverse tech talent pipelines through apprenticeships
· Breaking down barriers and overcoming stereotypes in tech
· Programs and initiatives that empower women’s growth and leadership in tech
· Creating supportive pathways to help women advance in tech careers
Whether you’re an aspiring tech professional, an industry leader, an educator, or a workforce development advocate, this event provides valuable insights on creating a more inclusive tech landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with change-makers dedicated to opening doors for women in technology.
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Apprenticeship Illinois Committee Chair
Makes Crain's 40 under 40!
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Apprenticeship Illinois Committee Chair Daniel Serota
Congratulations to Daniel Serota, Chair of the Apprenticeship Illinois Committee and Vice President of Government & Public Affairs at Aon, for being recognized in Crain's Chicago Business 40 Under 40! This prestigious honor highlights Daniel's outstanding leadership and commitment to shaping the future of our communities in Chicago. His dedication to advancing apprenticeship programs in Illinois showcases his passion for empowering the next generation of leaders. We celebrate his achievements and look forward to his continued impact in Illinois!
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Apprenticeship Success Story | |
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John Barger & Mac Medical Belleville, IL
When John Barger was a third-grade teacher for the Belleville School District #118 the word apprenticeship didn’t come up in his classroom. He was much more concerned about reading, writing, and arithmetic than he was about welding. After he retired, he was thinking about enjoying life and not about apprenticeships.
That all changed in June 2021, when John began working for Mac Medical (MAC) as the part-time Training Director. MAC Medical, Inc. manufactures high-quality stainless steel healthcare equipment. Located in Millstadt, Illinois, their products include everything from blanket warmers and stretchers to tables and scrub sinks.
In September 2021, working with Bruce Hallam from the United States Department of Labor’s Illinois Apprenticeship Office, John developed MAC's TIG welding USDOL Registered Apprenticeship program under surgical and medical instrument manufacturing. Designed for the next generation of tradespeople, the program includes students from the local area as well as current employees wanting to diversify their skill set. Currently, MAC employs 14 apprentices, and over the last three years, six graduated from the program. Apprentices gain a skill set and knowledge of TIG welding while also cross-training in the areas of MIG welding, polishing, and grinding. The length of the program is 4,000 hours. Full-time apprentices are expected to complete the program in two years, while part-time apprentices may take longer as they are likely to complete high school. The program also requires 144 hours of related training instruction (RTI), which may be completed through an approved provider (i.e., MAC, Southwestern Illinois College, Belleville High School District 201, Career Center of Southern Illinois). In addition to on-the-job and classroom training, apprentices also attend bi-weekly meetings with MAC leadership, addressing a variety of topics such as corporate culture and quality control.
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John worked with Belleville High School District 201 to develop the Internship to Apprenticeship model, where high school students work for Mac Medicalin the afternoons after attending classes in the morning. The students work alongside journeyman welders to get on-the-job training, which can apply to their hours as apprentice welders. Upon high school graduation, the student determines if they want to continue at Mac Medical as full-time paid apprentices.
Since starting in 2021, John has worked closely with local and state agencies to obtain funds to support the apprenticeship program. He is very proud that he has brought over $100,000 to Mac Medical for training, college tuition and materials to the apprentices in the program.
In October 2023, Mac Medical purchased a building in Millstadt to provide a dedicated training area for polishing and welding. The building is two stories with a full basement that is currently being remodeled to house some of the engineering department, several offices and a new 3-D-printer for project and product development. A new full-line showroom is also in the advanced planning stage. The goal behind the development of the training center is to instill a dedicated onboarding process that can be used for all new hires in a safe setting, with a mentor approach to hands-on skills. Because of his dedication to Mac Medical and the development and implementation of their apprenticeship programs, the training facility was named the John Barger Center for Excellence.
Mac Medical has been driven by its goal to train young workers in all aspects of their careers and is partnering with local high schools and state agencies to lead manufacturing training. Faith, Integrity, and Teamwork are the cultural mentality that helps to provide the quality built, American-made products that their customers have come to expect. These are the lessons they promote in their training and guidance to all of their workers.
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Lunch & Learn with Apprenticeship!
Register Now!
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Apprenticeship
Fundamentals
July 23, 2024
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Best Practices for Employer Recruitment
July 30, 2024
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Engaging IBST Partners for Successful Partnerships
August 13, 2024
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Guidance for Collaborating with DOL Office of Apprenticeship
August 27, 2024 | 12:00 PM CST
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Working with High-Impact Intermediaries and Community Colleges
September 10, 2024 | 12:00 PM CST
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Collaborating with IDHS-DRS on RAP Outreach and Development
September 17, 2024 | 12:00 PM CST
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Youth Apprenticeship, CTE, and Secondary Education
October 1, 2024 | 12:00 PM CST
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Utilizing Data for Effective Business Outreach
October 8, 2024 | 12:00 PM CST
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Thinking Local: Working with Chambers and EDCs
October 15, 2024
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Educating Educators:A Case Study of K-12 Apprenticeships
October 22, 2024
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National Apprenticeship Week Showcase
November 12, 2024 | 12:00 PM CST
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This 60-minute webinar will showcase the exciting and innovative apprenticeship programs developed by Apprenticeship Illinois grantees since the launch of the State Apprenticeship Expansion grant in 2022. | |
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Yearly Check-Up: Reflections and Advise from Illinois's Healthcare Apprenticeships
December 10, 2024 | 12:00 PM CST
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This 60-minute webinar will offer candid and useful discussion of Illinois’s pioneering apprenticeships in the field of healthcare including those in registered and licensed practical nursing, pharmacy technicians, Certified Medical Assistants, and more. Scheduling coursework, funding options for clinical learning experiences, and healthcare career ladders will feature prominently in a wide-ranging discussion that prepares grantees to support their local hospital systems in embracing registered apprenticeship as a means of filling some of the most in-demand roles across all sectors. | |
Apprenticeship in the News! | |
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Governor Pritzker, State of Illinois, DCEO
SkillsUSA Illinois Apprenticeship
News from Illinois Colleges
Youth Apprenticeship & Pre-Apprenticeship
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Join the fun on our social media handles! | | | | |
