Employers

Prepare-Train-Retain: Apprenticeship Resources for employers

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What's on this Page?

How to Get Started Creating an Apprenticeship Program | Work with an Apprenticeship Navigator | Apprenticeship Tax Credit Information
Contact and Sign Up |  The Business Case for Apprenticeship | Resources for How to Start a Program| Success Stories​


How to Get Started Creating an Apprenticeship Program

Create your future workforce, reduce turnover, and improve productivity. 

Apprenticeships are “earn-and-learn” programs that combine formal learning with paid, on-the-job training experiences. Apprenticeship enables your business to build the talent it needs in-house. Apprenticeship is a high-quality career pathway driven by growing and emerging industries. Apprenticeship is a win-win approach for business and job seekers.

Apprenticeship Illinois Navigators are a one-stop concierge service that will help build an apprenticeship program with your business.
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Work with an Apprenticeship Navigator

Learn how registered apprenticeships can help you build a skilled workforce that meets your needs. To get started, you can contact an Apprenticeship Navigator in your region. Apprenticeship Navigators are available to answer your questions about registered apprenticeship and assist employers with the program development and registration process at no cost to your business.

Apprenticeship Navigators can help employers:

  • Understand the registered apprenticeship training model

  • Identify existing models for your occupations of interest

  • Connect you with appropriate resources to assist with your program

  • Draw up your Standards and Training & Education outline based upon your input

  • Submit your registration paperwork to the USDOL for full recognition in the National Registered Apprenticeship System

  • Assist you with program updates as your workforce needs evolve

  • Coordinate sector partnerships between interested employers 

Illinois has 10 Economic Development Regions or EDRs and 22 Local Workforce Innovation Areas. For regions without an Apprenticeship Navigator, contact Kim Kuchenbrod at kmkuch1@ilstu.edu.

Diane Murphy

DIANE MURPHY
Land of Lincoln Workforce Alliance (LWIA 20)


Region: 1

Phone(217) 558-4277


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

KINDY KRULLER
​Cook County Bureau of Economic Development 
(LWIA 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 10, &11)

Region: 4

PhoneOffice: (312) 603-1041


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

CHRIS CONNORS
​Workforce Connection (LWIA 3)



Region: 5

Phone(815) 395-6676
Counties: Boone, Ogle, Stephenson, Winnebago
Nikelle Tellier

NIKELLE TELLIER
Business Employment Skills 
Team, Inc. (BEST) (LWIA 4)


Region: 6

Phone(815) 200-3196


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

Lucinda Phoenix

EMILY PERKS
Management, Training and Consulting Corporation (LWIA 25)

Region: 8

Phone(618) 998-0970 ext. 202


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

LEE REESE
St. Clair County Intergovernmental Grants Department (LWIA 22 & 24)

Region: 9

Phone(618) 825-3265


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

DIRK LEFLER
Workforce Innovation Board of Western (LWIA 14)

Region: 10

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

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

​Effective January 1, 2020, employers are allowed a tax credit for qualified educational expenses associated with qualifying apprentices. Employers may receive a credit of up to $3,500 per apprentice against the taxes imposed by subsections (a) and (b) of Section 201 of the Illinois Income Tax Act, and an additional credit of up to $1,500 for each apprentice if (1) the apprentice resides in an underserved area or (2) the employer's principal place of business is located in an underserved area.

NOTE: The total tax credits issued by the Department under this program may not exceed $5 million in any calendar year, which shall be allowed on a first-come first-served basis, based on the date on which each properly completed application is received by the Department.

For more information, please contact CEO.ApprenticeshipCredit@illinois.gov


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The Business Case for Apprenticeships
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​Skilled Workforce

Skilled Workforce

Recruit and develop a diverse and highly-skilled workforce
Improve Productivity
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Improve Productivity

Improve profitability and positive impact to your bottom line
Reduced Turnover
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Reduced Turnover

Minimize cost with reduced turnover and liability             
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Customizable Training

Customizable Training

Create flexible training options that ensure workers develop the right skills

Retain Workers
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Retain Workers

94% of apprentices continue employment after completing an apprenticeship
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Diversity

Diversity

Foster a diverse and inclusive culture

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Resources for How to Start a Program
Employer Success Stories

Employer Success Stories highlight a business’ participation with an apprenticeship program and how it helped the business change, grow, and helped their workforce.