Apprentice Ambassadors 2026

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Call for Applications
​The Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship (WBLA) Committee is continuing the Apprentice Ambassador Program in 2026 to expand the visibility of apprenticeship and adoption by companies to create a diverse network of apprentices of all ages and backgrounds from economic development regions across the state in multiple industries. Apprentice Ambassadors will be the “face” of apprenticeship in Illinois and represent the IWIB WBLA at various events, in-person and virtually.​

This Call for Applications seeks apprentices from different geographic and industry areas across Illinois to apply as WBLA strives to showcase the many possibilities apprenticeships can offer. Current apprentices (or recent graduates) and their employers can apply for the 2026​ Apprentice Ambassador cohort. Selected Apprentice Ambassadors will join the IWIB WBLA Ambassador Workgroup and work alongside government-appointed IWIB leaders to help shape the public workforce policy. ​

Those interested in applying are encouraged to review the information on this page, read the documents under Materials, discuss the initiative with their employer, and complete the Apprentice Ambassador Application​. Selected Apprentice Ambassadors and their Employers will be notified by TBD.​​​
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Background
The Illinois Workforce Innovation Board comprises leaders from the State, business, industry, labor, education, and community-based organizations that evaluate and address the workforce needs of Illinois employers and workers. The Work-Based Learning and​ Apprenticeship Committee, one of five committees, is dedicated to expanding and diversifying apprenticeship programs and apprentices throughout the state. The WBLA successfully launched the Apprentice Workgroup in 2024.

​The “ask” of Apprentice Ambassadors is to:
  1. ​Provide feedback and experience as an apprentice.
  2. Be an advocate and example to other individuals and companies.
  3. Be a mentor to other current or future apprentices.
Apprentice Ambassadors serve as champions for the State of Illinois by sharing their stories and promoting apprenticeships to career seekers and employers. Stories featured on a public platform allow their perspectives to be shared while raising awareness of apprenticeships and increasing opportunities for underserved populations.

An Apprentice Ambassador is a professional development opportunity that exercises teamwork, leadership, and public speaking skills while working alongside IWIB members, who Governor Pritzker appointed, and members of the WBLA Committee to strengthen Illinois apprenticeship programs through innovation and creativity. Ambassador duties involve event planning, business/apprentice engagement, community outreach, and more. The WBLA Committee seeks hard-working, passionate leaders to progress the continuous growth of the Illinois workforce and apprenticeship programs.​
​​Apprenticeship Illinois Logo.png
​ Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Logo.png
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Applications
Deadline to Apply: October 15, 2025
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Materials
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FAQ
B​​​rowse or submit questions.
Question & Answer
​ ​FAQs​​​​
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Share the Word
​​Copy and paste to post on social media:
  • Social Media Toolkit
  • Downloadable Graphics
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Benefits
​​Ambassadors receive professional development in public speaking, social media footprint, professional networking, media interviews, the Illinois workforce development system, and the Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeship Committee of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board. Ambassadors have opportunities to speak at public events on apprenticeship, engage with business leaders, and continue to refine soft skills. Ambassadors are also assigned a mentor, who will meet with them regularly to provide support and connect them to relevant opportunities.

Employers who sponsor an Apprentice Ambassador are featured on the Apprenticeship Illinois website and at events. Ambassadors are often showcased in interviews, public speaking events, and promotional opportunities, highlighting how their company has supported their apprenticeship journey. Participation is a tangible sign to the community that your company takes employee growth seriously and provides leadership and personal growth opportunities. Ambassadors gain valuable leadership training and practical experience that can be translated into their role.
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Employer Requirements
​​The IWIB Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeship Committee asks each employer to:
  1. ​Identify apprentices who have performed successfully in their program for at least six months and show the ability and willingness to grow their interpersonal skills. Eligible apprenticeship programs are not required to be registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, but the apprenticeship program must meet the following criteria:
    • ​Employs and pays the apprentice for full-time work with a structured on-the-job learning plan.
    • At least one year in length.
    • Provides the apprentice with a mentor.
    • Supplemental coursework or training in addition to on-the-job learning.
  2. Alumni of apprentice programs can participate in the Ambassador program if they completed an apprenticeship program within the last 365 days.
  3. Support the Ambassador in their responsibilities, at a minimum:
    • Allow time off (paid or unpaid) for mandatory Ambassador events, as outlined in the calendar, which may include travel.
    • Designate a point of contact at the company who can respond to requests from the program or facilitate reaching out to the Ambassador if needed. This contact can be the Apprentice's supervisor.
      • The supervisor/company contact, affiliated with an apprenticeship program, may be asked to join Ambassador activities or contacted for interviews from the employer's perspective. These activities are not required for the supervisor and will be at the discretion of the employer and staff availability.
To advocate for access to professional development opportunities and ensure all candidates have equal opportunity to participate in the Apprentice Ambassador program, the WBLA recommends that employers also consider the following:
  1. Paid leave for any missed work hours due to participation in Ambassador program events.
  2. Sponsor Ambassador activities and travel as work-related costs to make the experience for the Ambassador more seamless.
  3. To count hours spent at Ambassador program events as regularly scheduled work hours, not requiring Ambassadors to "make up" for lost time.
Preference will be given to employers that sponsor ambassadors' travel to qualifying events.
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Ambassador Selection Criteria
Apprentices are selected to ensure a diverse representation of Illinois employer sizes, geographic regions, industry sectors, and application responses. The WBLA aims to choose one apprentice from each economic region and engage apprentices from diverse industries, genders, and racial/ethnic backgrounds.
* Only one application per company will be accepted. Please coordinate with your mentor or supervisor to determine who from your company will apply.

Apprentice Ambassadors must meet the following criteria:
✓ Be a current apprentice in an Illinois apprenticeship program for at least six months or apprentice graduate from an Illinois program within the past 365 days from the application submission date.
✓ Be from a good-standing apprenticeship program and have shown exemplary leadership, mentorship, teamwork, promotional activities, and/or have a transformative story as an apprentice.
✓ Currently working in an industry/occupation similar to the completed apprenticeship program (if an apprentice graduate).
✓ ​Make a year-long commitment to promote apprenticeship programs from the Ambassador appointment date.

All applicants must complete the following:
✓ Submit a complete application with responses to all required fields. 
✓ Employer completes the Apprenticeship Employer Ambassador application/commitment.

At any time, the apprentice/graduate or apprenticeship employer may request to remove the apprentice/graduate's application from consideration or withdraw from participation in the Initiative.

* Note: The Apprentice Workgroup is limited to only current apprentices or apprentice graduates in Illinois.
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Core Expectations for Apprentice Ambassadors​
Apprentice Ambassador must agree to meet these Core Expectations:
✓ Commit to a one-year term, beginning in December 2025 and ending in December 2026.
​✓ ​Attend all events highlighted in the calendar below.
    • ​​​​*Note: We ask employers to cover travel costs for Apprentice Ambassador activities. However, for travel costs incurred for required events that the employer does not cover, the Apprentice Ambassador may be reimbursed once proper travel documentation is filed. The Ambassador must pay these costs upfront to submit documentation for reimbursement.
​✓ Respond to all written communication within one week of receiving.
✓​ Must be 18 years of age and not currently a high school student.
✓ Ambassador's name, title, photo, and apprenticeship employer name are publicized on ApprenticeshipIllinois.com and included in press releases.​​
​✓ Share perspectives on apprenticeship programs and experiences.​
​✓ Maintain professionalism, open communication, and transparency with their Apprenticeship employer regarding participation in this Initiative.​​
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Apprentice Ambassador Calendar of Events
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​​Date
​Event
​Topic
​Format
​December 1, 2025
​2025 Ambassador Cohort Recognition
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​Virtual
​January 12, 2026
​2026 Ambassador Cohort Kick-Off
​Program Info, Meet & Greet
​Virtual
​February 9, 2026
​Professional Development Session
​"Tell Your Story"
​Virtual
​March 9, 2026
​Professional Development Session
​Introduction to Soft Skills
​Virtual
​April 13, 2026
​Professional Development Session
​Past Ambassador Q&A
​Virtual
​April 26-May 2, 2026
​National Apprenticeship Week Event
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​Hybrid
​May 11, 2026
​Illinois Workforce Summit: Ambassador Panel
​Attend the Summit
​In-Person
​May 11, 2026
​Professional Development Session
​Lessons from the Summit
​Virtual
​June 15, 2026
​Professional Development & Networking Session
​Zurich & PR Training
​In-Person
​July 13, 2026
​Professional Development Session
​Financial Literacy
​Virtual
​August 10, 2026
​Professional Development Session
​Barriers to Succeeding
​Virtual
​September 14, 2026
​Professional Development Session
​​Career Planning & Application Process
​Virtual
​October 12, 2026
​Professional Development Session
​Hear from HR - Interview Practices
​Virtual
​November 9, 2026
​Professional Development Session
​Year in Review - Highs and Lows
​Virtual
​December 10, 2026
​Recognition Ceremony - IWIB WBLA Quarterly
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​Hybrid
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