Apprentice Ambassador Details

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Core Expectations
Apprentice Ambassador must agree to meet core expectations:
​✓ Commit to a one-year term, beginning January 2026 and ending December 2026.
​✓ Complete at least one regional outreach activity.
✓ Attend the following events:
  • Attend a minimum of 75% of all virtual professional development events.
  • Attend the June 2026 in-person professional development event in Normal, Illinois.
✓ Respond to all written communication within one week of receiving.
​✓ Must be 18 years of age and not currently a high school student.
✓ Photo, name, title, and name of apprenticeship employer are publicized on the ApprenticeshipIllinois.com website and included in press releases.
✓ Share perspectives on apprenticeship programs and experiences.
✓ Work closely with the IWIB WBLA’s Apprentice Workgroup leader, who oversees participation in the Initiative and coordinates selected outreach activities for core expectations.
✓ Maintain professionalism, open communication, and transparency with the apprenticeship employer for participation in this Initiative.
Selection Criteria
Apprentice Ambassador must:
✓ Submit a complete application.​
✓ Be a current apprentice in Illinois for at least 6 months or a graduated apprentice from an Illinois program within 2 years of the application.
✓ Be from a good-standing program showing leadership, mentorship, teamwork, and/or a transformative story.
​✓ Make a year-long commitment to promote apprenticeship programs from the ambassador appointment date.
✓ Work in an industry/occupation similar to the apprenticeship program (if graduated).​
Additional Selection Criteria: Apprentices are selected based on their represented sectors, location, and application responses. The Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeship Committee aims to choose one apprentice from each region to engage apprentices from diverse industries, genders, and racial/ethnic backgrounds. Only one application will be accepted per company.​

At any time, the apprentice/graduate, apprenticeship employer, or parent/legal guardian may request to remove the apprentice/graduate's application from consideration or request withdrawal from participation in the Initiative. All applications require signatures from the apprentice/graduate, Registered Apprenticeship sponsor, and parent/legal guardian (if applicable).

Employer Commitment
​​Apprenticeship Employer Ambassador Commitment:
​✓ Agrees to support the apprentice/graduate’s participation as an Apprenticeship Ambassador in the IWIB WBLA's Apprentice Workgroup, which includes:
  • Provide paid time off to attend quarterly virtual or in-person meetings and regional outreach events.
  • Provide access to a computer and the internet for virtual meetings.
✓ The employer is invited to in-person meetings and may be invited to join industry groups or other apprenticeship events, where appropriate. They may be invited to speak at events to share the employer's perspective.
✓​ Preference will be given to employers that sponsor ambassador travel to qualifying events.
 ✓ Employer name, company logo, and photo may be publicized on the ApprenticeshipIllinois.com website and included in press releases. Success stories highlighting the apprentice/graduate and their experience may also be featured and shared with State leadership.
✓ Affirms their apprenticeship program is either registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or meets the following criteria:
  1. Employ and pay the apprentice for full-time work with on-the-job learning.
  2. At least one year in length.
  3. Provides the apprentice with a mentor.
  4. Supplemental coursework or training with on-the-job learning.