Apprenticeship Week 2026

​National Apprenticeship Week​ (April 26-May 2, 2026) showcases how apprenticeships are working across Illinois.

Across the state -from Chicago to Carbondale- training providers, workforce partners, community organizations, and businesses host events highlighting programs in action and sharing what’s working. Events are designed to connect more employers and career seekers to proven, work-based solutions.

For employers, National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) offers a chance to explore practical ways to build talent and improve retention. In Illinois, apprenticeship isn’t just a program; it’s a strategy for growing talent and powering our economy.​
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Illinois Initiatives
​Across Illinois, these initiatives help employers, partners, and career seekers take the next steps.

  • ​Apprenticeship Specialists
    • Support to help employers design, launch, and scale apprenticeship programs, at no-cost to the employer.

  • Apprentice Ambassadors
    • Apprentices sharing real-world experiences to help employers see how apprenticeships work in practice and how they can strengthen their workforce.
  • Work-Based Learning and Apprenticeship (WBLA) Catalysts
    • ​Recognized organizations nominated and selected as leading examples of high-quality work-based learning and apprenticeship in Illinois.​
  • The Apprentice Perspective Podcast
    • ​​Stories from across Illinois featuring employers, apprentices, and programs in action.
#ApprenticeshipIL #NAW2026
#ApprenticeshipUSA​
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Resources

​​Submit Proclamations:
Submit Events:
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​Proclamations
​Entities are encouraged to sign a proclamation declaring National Apprenticeship Week. This formal recognition expresses the value and importance of apprenticeships in expanding workforce opportunities.​​​
​​​State​​​​
Local Workforce Innovation Boards & Areas
Municipals
Education Entities
​Industry
Unions
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Eve​nts

Events are organized throughout the state to highlight the importance of Registered Apprenticeship for the economy and the workforce. Use the Event Calendar below to discover what's happening in your area or online. Attend an event to learn about apprenticeship opportunities, network with others, celebrate achievements, and show your support.

Are you hosting an event? Add events to the Event​​​ Calendar using the Apprenticeship Week series tag.​ Follow the ​Instructions to enhance your outreach.

Apprenticeship Illinois Events (Flyer​)
​​​​Date/Time​
​Event Title
​Details
​April 28, 2026
1:00pm-2:00pm
​The Voice of the Apprentice: A Panel on Illinois' Apprentice Ambassadors & Their Employers​
​A panel discussion with the 2026 Apprentice Ambassadors and employer sponsors.​ Hear about their paths to apprenticeship and how it has improved their lives. Employers will speak about the return on investment that apprenticeships generate for their enterprise.
​April 30, 2026
12:00pm-1:00pm
​Apprenticeship Illinois I​nnovative RAP Showcase
​A panel discussion with Illinois apprenticeship employers and program sponsors across new sectors and occupations.

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Find Events
​The Event Calendar features events across Illinois, both in person and online. Customize results with filters or enter keywords. To change how events are displayed, select either "Month" or "List" and choose "Day" for a detailed view of events scheduled on a specific day within the Month view.​​​
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Need Assistance?

Apprentice​ship Illinois is here to help! Browse FAQs, submit a question, or reach​​ out for assistance with adding an event or submitting a Proclamation.​
​​ ​FAQ​s​​​​​​​