Apprenticeship by the Numbers in Illinois
17,716

Active Apprentices

465

Registered Programs

4,859

New Apprentices

33

New Programs


What is an Apprenticeship?

​Apprenticeships are an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals obtain paid work experience and receive progressive wage increases and classroom instruction.
Source: ApprenticeshipUSA, U.S. DOL
Registered and non-registered apprenticeship programs should include 7 key elements.
  • Industry Led: Programs are industry-vetted and approved to ensure alignment with industry standards that apprentices are trained for highly skilled, high-demand occupations.
  • Paid Job: Apprenticeships are jobs! Apprentices earn progressive wages as their skills and productivity increase.
  • Structured On-the-Job Learning/Mentorship: Programs provide structured on-the-job training to prepare for a successful career, which includes instruction from an experienced mentor.
  • Supplemental Education: Apprentices receive supplemental classroom education based on the employers' unique training needs to ensure quality and success.
  • Diversity: Programs are designed to reflect the communities in which they operate through strong non-discrimination, anti-harassment, and recruitment practices to ensure access, equity, and inclusion.
  • Quality & Safety: Apprentices are afforded worker protection while receiving rigorous training to be equipped with the skills needed to succeed and the proper training and supervision needed to be safe.
  • Credentials: Apprentices earn a portable, nationally recognized credential within their industry.


Employers Contact Us

Career Seekers


Monthly Bulletin
​Check out the Apprenticeship Illinois Monthly Bulletin: August 2023. For previous updates, visit the IWIB Apprenticeship Illinois Committee section on the Information Center page.


Apprenticeship Success Stories

Success Stories highlight how apprenticeship programs helped:
  • Individual succeed in completing a program to reach their career, training, and/or employment goals.
  • Business participation led to business change and growth in the workforce.
  • Community change or growth and impact on the local workforce.

Apprenticeship Events

View this one-page handout to add events to the calendar below.

Ambassador Ambassador.png
Nationally recognized network of apprenticeship champions through the U.S. Department of Labor.


Apprenticeship Illinois Core WIOA Partners
Apprenticeship IL Partners