Find Navigators

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What are Apprenticeship Navigators?
​​Apprenticeship Navigators promote apprenticeships as an effective tool for developing a workforce and are an asset to getting an apprenticeship program started. Apprenticeship Navigators serve as a key point of contact and assist partners throughout the process, from concept to implementation. They support existing or foster new partnerships and develop an extensive network of stakeholders at all levels of the public and private sector within the region to identify opportunities for program expansion and promotion. Navigators implement a targeted approach to business engagement. The Navigators build capacity by developing and strengthening the knowledge, skills, abilities, processes, and resources that businesses, educational institutions, local workforce areas, and/or community partners need to create new or expand existing apprenticeship programs. The objective of the Apprenticeship Navigators is to expand employer and intermediary program sponsorship in existing and new occupational areas within the region.

Here are the contacts for your area:
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Diane Murphy
Land of Lincoln Workforce Alliance (LWIA 20)

EDR: 1

Counties: Cass, Christian, Greene, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Menard, Montgomery, Morgan, Sangamon, Scott, Shelby

(217) 558-4277
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Kindy Kruller
Cook County Bureau of Economic Development

EDR: 4

Counties: Cook, De Kalb, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will

Office: (312) 603-1041
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Lenora Dailey
St. Augustine College

EDR: 4

Counties: Cook, De Kalb, Du Page, Grundy, Kane, Kankakee, Kendall, Lake, McHenry, Will

Office: (773) 878-3489
Cell: (773) 339-5448
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Chris Connors
Workforce Connection (LWIA 3)

EDR: 5

Counties: Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, Winnebago

cconnors@theworkforceconnection.org

(815) 395-6676

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Nikelle Tellier
Business Employment Skills Team, Inc. (BEST) - LWIA 4

EDR: 6

Counties: Bureau, Carroll, Henry, Jo Daviess, La Salle, Lee, Mercer, Putnam, Rock Island, Whiteside

(815) 200-3196​
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Lucinda Phoenix
Management, Training and Consulting Corporation (LWIA 25)

EDR: 8

Counties: Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White, Williamson

(618) 998-0970
Ext: 214​
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Lee Reese
St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department

EDR: 9

Counties: ​Bond, Calhoun, Clinton, Jersey, Madison, Monroe, Randolph, St. Clair, Washington

(618) 825-3265
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Dirk Lefler
Workforce Innovation Board of Western (LWIA 14)

EDR: 10​

Counties: Adams, Brown, Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, Pike, Schuyler, Warren

Office: (309) 837-1280
Cell: (217) 303-3424


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Here's how Navigators Can Help You
​Support existing or foster new partnerships. Navigators develop an extensive network of stakeholders at all levels of the public and private sector within the region to identify opportunities for program expansion and promotion.
  • Navigators build a regional network of partnerships.
  • The Navigators bring regional players together, such as CBOs, training providers, employers, as well as identify potential partnerships over various sectors.
  • Navigators act as a liaison between employers, area economic development organizations, educational providers, local workforce areas, etc.

Conduct industry engagement and outreach. Navigators market the apprenticeship model as a viable workforce solution to individual businesses, chambers of commerce, local workforce areas, industry associations, educational institutions, and more.

  • The Navigators work with businesses to understand their workforce "pain points" and determine how apprenticeship can be a sustainable solution to their workforce needs.
  • The Navigators schedule "events" where they convey why and how the program provides a workforce solution, using a variety of marketing materials in their outreach.
  • Navigators promote existing programs in the area and develop methods to include special populations.

Serve as a key point of contact. The Navigators are available for free consultation to businesses, high schools, local workforce areas, chambers of commerce, community colleges, and other potential apprenticeship partners.

  • Navigators assist apprenticeship partners throughout the process, from concept to implementation, providing samples of similar models that may be replicated, and connecting partners with the appropriate resources.
  • The Navigators facilitate regional coordination and partnership with apprenticeship stakeholders, including businesses, Illinois U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship, the training and service providers, and other education and state agency partners.
  • Navigators connect interested parties to the correct partner and the various apprenticeship components.
  • Navigators can help employers connect to the apprenticeship education expense tax credit program.

If you cannot find a Navigator in your region, please contact apprenticeship@illinoisworknet.com.