Apprenticeship Week 2019


Governor Pritzker Kicked Off NAW
A press event at the state capital in Springfield kicked off the 5th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2019 in Illinois. Apprentices and host companies across the state joined Governor Pritzker, Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton, and Director Erin Guthrie of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO).

Apprentices and companies presented several sectors and business groups, including the Chicago Apprentice NetworkIllinois Manufacturers' AssociationIllinois Workforce Partnership, and Illinois Community College Board. Employers represented banking and financing, information technology, manufacturing, construction and trades, insurance, healthcare, automotive, retail, hospitality and service, and even the National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center (NCERC) - the only Center in the world!

Julio Rodriguez, Deputy Director of the Office of Employment and Training at DCEO, said, "Apprenticeships are useful for getting direct work experience. The employer hires the person right then and there. The training happens​ simultaneously as the person is working. The idea is that the sector identifies its needs and begins working with those institutions and providers to help build that talent."

More than 40 career fairs and networking events were held around the state. Read the U.S. Department of Labor's National Apprenticeship Week Report highlighting Zurich North America's Summit. Check out photos from the press event and Illinois workNet's Newsletter.
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