Apprenticeship Illinois Bootcamp 2026

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​​The Apprenticeship Illinois Bootcamp is an annual experiential learning conference designed to strengthen workforce partnerships, inspire innovative program development, and educate key stakeholders and workforce professionals on the possibilities and promise of U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Registered Apprenticeship Programs and other work-based learning pathways.

​As the State’s flagship event for capacity building, professional development, and peer collaboration, this gathering brings together more than 150 partners from education, workforce, and economic development across Illinois for two days of interactive training, networking, and collaborative learning.

This year’s Bootcamp emphasizes practical strategies, tangible tools, and actionable takeaways. Whether new to apprenticeship or looking to grow established efforts, participants will leave with the skills and confidence to effectively engage employers, strengthen partnerships, and expand high-quality pathways for Illinois career seekers.​

Logistics:​ The Bootcamp will take place on ​​October 13, 2026 from 9:00am-4:30pm and October 14, 2026 from 9:00am-2:00pm at the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University (200 North University Street, Normal, Illinois​ 61761).​
​ Apprenticeship Illinois Logo

Apprenticeship Bootcamp Begins In

13 Days
17 Hrs
2​1 Mins
44 Secs

October 13, 2026 at 9:00am CT​​

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Agenda

The full agenda and details are forthcoming. Please check back as new details will be released.
Day One
Calendar October 13, 2026  Clock 9:00am-4:30pm
Session
Presenter(s)
Morning Mainstage
Welcome

Julio Rodriguez, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Opening Keynote
Daniel Serota, Aon and Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeship Committee
From Employer Interest to Lasting Impact: Framework for Sustainable Apprenticeship
Rebecca Daurio, RADD Training
The Voice of the Apprentice: Panel on Illinois' Apprentice Ambassadors and Their Employers
Sheryl Morris, Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Work-Based Learning & Apprenticeship Committee
Jarrod Gayheart, Birkey's
Ayman Faruqi, Northwestern Medicine
Breakout Session #1
Building Talent Pipelines Through Strategic Incumbent Worker Investments and Apprenticeship Alignment
Sara Espeland, Lake County Workforce Development
Omar Ramirez, Lake County Workforce Development
Breaking Silos: Adult Education and Workforce Development Alignment
Angelique Maguire, Illinois Eastern Community Colleges
The ROI of Kindness: How Equitable Apprenticeships Return Dividends
Tara May, Aspiritech
Breakout Session #2
Building Bridges to Opportunities: Comprehensive Workforce Development Model for Economic Growth
Sara Espeland, Lake County Workforce Development
Omar Ramirez, Lake County Workforce Development
District-Led Intermediary Hub: Scaling High-Growth Youth Apprenticeships via the Illinois Quality Framework for Youth Apprenticeships
Barb Kain, District #214
Kathy Gannon, District #214
Building Awareness and Utilization of Registered Apprenticeships in Illinois - Showcase of SHRM Foundation, Illinois SHRM, and Apprenti Progress
Robert Lemke, Illinois State Council for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)
Afternoon Mainstage
Built by Business: How One Region's Sector Partnerships Solves Its Own Talent Crisis
Kim Kuchenbrod
Mike Baker, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
Day One Closing Remarks
John Barr, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
   
Day Two
Calendar October 14, 2026  Clock 9:00am-2:00pm
Session
Presenter(s)
Morning Mainstage
Pre-Conference Learning Session: Apprenticeship 101
Nate Carlson, Northern Illinois University
Where Learning Meets Production: Building a Sustainable Apprenticeship Cohort
Dr. Gina De rosier-Cook, Elgin Community College
Breakout Session #3
How Customized Apprenticeships and a Pillars of Support Model Drive Program Success at Zurich North America
Susan Meehan, Zurich North America
David Jaeger, Zurich North America
Sirena Arnaout, Zurich North America
Expanding Early Childhood Education Opportunities Through Apprenticeships
Julie Brancaleon, Joliet Junior College
John Hall, Workforce Services Division of Will County
Patrick Hall, Joliet Junior College
Dain Meza-Gotto, Joliet Junior College
Making Multi-Partner Pathways Work: Connecting High School, College, and Employers
Dr. Michael Kuhn, 
Ericka Kouba, Des Plaines Valley Region Education for Employment
Dr. Paul Jensen, Triton College
Frank Holthouse, Leyden High School District #212
Breakout Session #4
Recipe for Opportunity: How High School CTE, Industry, and Apprenticeship Create Culinary Careers
Collin Ruthe, The Workforce Connection
Berenice Jaquez, The Workforce Connection
Jay Rosati, Rosati's Pizza
Who Does What? Building Flexible Agreements for High-Performing Apprenticeships
Curt Rendall, Heartland Community College
Creating a Teacher Pipeline with Apprenticeship Programs
Elizabeth Ketchum, McKendree University
Afternoon Mainstage
From Pilot to Talent Strategy: What Employers and Apprentices Need from Illinois
Curt Rendall, Heartland Community College
Bootcamp Close
Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
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Resources

​Acronyms:​​
  • DOL = U.S. Department of Labor
  • CTE = Career and Technical Education
  • ISBE = Illinois State Board of Education
  • ROI = Return on Investment
​Past Apprenticeship Illinois Bootcamps: