Apprentice Ambassadors 2025

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Call for Applications
​The Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) Apprenticeship Illinois Committee (AIC) is continuing the Apprentice Ambassador Program in 2025 to expand the visibility of apprenticeship and adoption by companies to create a diverse network of apprentices of all ages and backgrounds from economic development regions across the state in multiple industries. Apprentice Ambassadors will be the “face” of apprenticeship in Illinois and represent the IWIB AIC at various events, in-person and virtually.​

This Call for Applications sought apprentices from different geographic and industry areas across Illinois to apply as AIC strives to showcase the many possibilities apprenticeships can offer. Current apprentices (or recent graduates) and their employers could apply for the 2025 Apprentice Ambassador cohort. Selected Apprentice Ambassadors will join the IWIB AIC Ambassador Workgroup and work alongside government-appointed IWIB leaders to help shape the public workforce policy. ​

Those interested in applying were encouraged to review the information on this page, read the documents under Materials, discuss the initiative with their employer, and complete the Apprentice Ambassador Application; their employer must complete the Apprentice Employer Application by October 15, 2024. Selected Apprentice Ambassadors and their Employers will be notified by October 31, 2024; the 2025 Apprentice Ambassador cohort will be announced during National Apprenticeship Week.​​​
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Background
The Illinois Workforce Innovation Board comprises leaders from the State, business, industry, labor, education, and community-based organizations that evaluate and address the workforce needs of Illinois employers and workers. The Apprenticeship Illinois Committee, one of five IWIB committees, is dedicated to expanding and diversifying apprenticeship programs and apprentices throughout the state. The AIC successfully launched the Apprentice Workgroup in 2024, with inaugural Ambassadors playing a key role in shaping 

​The “ask” of Apprentice Ambassadors is to:
  1. ​Provide feedback and experience as an apprentice.
  2. Be an advocate and example to other individuals and companies.
  3. Be a mentor to other current or future apprentices.
Apprentice Ambassadors serve as champions for the State of Illinois by sharing their stories and promoting apprenticeships to career seekers and employers. Stories featured on a public platform allow their perspectives to be shared while raising awareness of apprenticeships and increasing opportunities for underserved populations.

An Apprentice Ambassador is a professional development opportunity that exercises teamwork, leadership, and public speaking skills while working alongside IWIB members, who Governor Pritzker appointed, and members of the AIC Committee to strengthen Illinois apprenticeship programs through innovation and creativity. Ambassador duties involve event planning, business/apprentice engagement, community outreach, and more. The IWIB Apprenticeship Committee seeks hard-working, passionate leaders to progress the continuous growth of the Illinois workforce and apprenticeship programs.
​​Apprenticeship Illinois Logo.png
​ Illinois Workforce Innovation Board Logo.png
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Applications
Deadline to Apply: October 15, 2024
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Materials
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FAQ
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Question & Answer
​ ​FAQs​​​​
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Benefits
​​Ambassadors receive professional development in public speaking, social media footprint, professional networking, media interviews, the Illinois workforce development system, and the Apprenticeship Illinois Committee of the Illinois Workforce Innovation Board. Ambassadors have opportunities to speak at public events on apprenticeship, engage with business leaders, and continue to refine soft skills. Ambassadors are also assigned a mentor, who will meet with them regularly to provide support and connect them to relevant opportunities.

Employers who sponsor an Apprentice Ambassador are featured on the Apprenticeship Illinois website, Apprenticeship Bulletin, and other events. Ambassadors are often showcased in interviews, public speaking events, and promotional opportunities that offer an opportunity to highlight how their company has supported their apprenticeship journey. Participation is a tangible sign to the community that your company takes employee growth seriously and provides leadership and personal growth opportunities. Ambassadors gain valuable leadership training and practical experience that can be translated into their role.
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Employer Requirements
​​The IWIB Apprenticeship Committee asks each employer to:
  1. ​Identify apprentices who have performed successfully in their program for at least six months and show the ability and willingness to grow their interpersonal skills. Eligible apprenticeship programs are not required to be registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, but the apprenticeship program must meet the following criteria:
    • ​Employs and pays the apprentice for full-time work with a structured on-the-job learning plan.
    • At least one year in length.
    • Provides the apprentice with a mentor.
    • Supplemental coursework or training in addition to on-the-job learning.
  2. Alumni of apprentice programs can participate in the Ambassador program if they completed an apprenticeship program within the last 365 days.
  3. Support the Ambassador in their responsibilities, at a minimum:
    • Allow time off (paid or unpaid) for mandatory Ambassador events, as outlined in the calendar, which may include travel.
    • Designate a point of contact at the company who can respond to requests from the program or facilitate reaching out to the Ambassador if needed. This contact can be the Apprentice's supervisor.
      • The supervisor/company contact, affiliated with an apprenticeship program, may be asked to join Ambassador activities or contacted for interviews from the employer's perspective. These activities are not required for the supervisor and will be at the discretion of the employer and staff availability.
To advocate for access to professional development opportunities and ensure all candidates have equal opportunity to participate in the Apprentice Ambassador program, the AIC recommends that employers also consider the following:
  1. Paid leave for any missed work hours due to participation in Ambassador program events.
  2. Sponsor Ambassador activities and travel as work-related costs to make the experience for the Ambassador more seamless.
  3. To count hours spent at Ambassador program events as regularly scheduled work hours, not requiring Ambassadors to "make up" for lost time.
 Please email Jordan Johnson if you have questions or concerns.
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Ambassador ​Selection Criteria
Apprentices are selected to ensure a diverse representation of Illinois employer sizes, geographic regions, industry sectors, and application responses. The Apprenticeship Illinois Committee aims to choose one apprentice from each economic region and engage apprentices from diverse industries, genders, and racial/ethnic backgrounds.
* Only one application per company will be accepted. Please coordinate with your mentor or supervisor to determine who from your company will apply.

Apprentice Ambassadors must meet the following criteria:
✓ Be a current apprentice in an Illinois apprenticeship program for at least six months or a graduated apprentice from an Illinois program within the past 365 days from the application submission date.
✓ Be from a good-standing apprenticeship program and have shown exemplary leadership, mentorship, teamwork, promotional activities, and/or have a transformative story as an apprentice.
✓ Currently working in an industry/occupation similar to the completed apprenticeship program (if an apprentice graduate).
✓ ​Make a year-long commitment to promote apprenticeship programs from the Ambassador appointment date.

All applicants must complete the following:
✓ Submit a complete application with responses to all required fields. 
✓ Employer completes the Apprenticeship Employer Ambassador application/commitment.
✓ Receive written authorization for participation from a parent/legal guardian (if under age 18 and not emancipated).

At any time, the apprentice/graduate, apprenticeship employer, or parent/legal guardian (if under age 18 and not emancipated) may request to remove the apprentice/graduate's application from consideration or withdraw from participation in the Initiative.

* Note: The Apprentice Workgroup is limited to only current or graduated apprentices in Illinois.
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Core Expectations for Apprentice Ambassadors
Apprentice Ambassador must agree to meet these Core Expectations:
✓ Commit to a one-year term, beginning in December 2024 and ending in December 2025.
​✓ ​Attend all events highlighted in the calendar below.
    • ​​​​*Note: We ask employers to cover travel costs for Apprentice Ambassador activities. However, for travel costs incurred for required events that the employer does not cover, the Apprentice Ambassador may be reimbursed once proper travel documentation is filed. The Ambassador must pay these costs upfront to submit documentation for reimbursement.
​✓ Ambassador's name, title, photo, and apprenticeship employer name are publicized on ApprenticeshipIllinois.com and included in press releases.​​
​✓ Share perspectives on apprenticeship programs and experiences.​
​✓ Maintain professionalism, open communication, and transparency with their Apprenticeship employer regarding participation in this Initiative.​​
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Apprentice Ambassador Calendar of Events
As part of the core expectations, an Apprentice Ambassador must attend the highlighted events in the calendar (download here​). An Acronymn legend is below the calendar.

​Date​
 Event​ ​Location
 ​Notes​
 ​​​Attendees
​Early November 2024​
 Initial Onboarding Meeting​
 ​Zoom​​
 ​Program details, expectations, travel process, & Ambassador / Employer questions.
 ​​Ambassador (Required)
Employers (Required)
​November 17-23, 2024
 ​​National Apprenticeship Week​
 ​Online
 ​2025 Ambassadors will be introduced on social media as part of NAW marketing.
 ​Ambassador
(No Attendance Required)
​December 12, 2024
 ​IWIB M​eeting
 ​Zoom or In-Person
(Location TBD)​​
 ​Graduation ceremony for 2024 Ambassadors & introduce the 2025 cohort to IWIB.
 ​Ambassador (Required)
Employer (Optional​)
​January 2025
 ​1-on-1 Meeting with Committee Leadership
 ​Zoom
 ​A short discussion about the Ambassador Program & apprenticeship background.
 ​Ambassador (Required)
​March 2025
 ​Ambassador Program Kickoff
 ​In-Person
(Location TBD)
 ​All-day workshop on Illinois Workforce System/IWIB, public speaking, & online footprint.
 ​Ambassador (Required)
Employer (Optional)
​March 2025
​Spring IWIB AIC
 ​In-Person
(Location TBD)
 ​Day after the Ambassador Program Kickoff.
 ​Amb​assador (Optional)
Employer (Optional)
​April 2025
 ​Quarterly Check-In
 ​Zoom​
 ​Meet​​ every three months.
 Ambassador (Required)
​April 2025
 ​WIOA Summit
 ​In-Person
(Location TBD)
 ​Opportunity to speak about the Apprentice Ambassador Program at a special session.
 ​​Ambassador (Up to three will be selected; others are not required)​
​June 2025
 ​Professional Development & Summer AIC Meeting
 ​In-Person
(Location TBD)
 ​Continued PD on public presentation & media training, apprenticeship policy process.
 ​Ambassador (Required)
Employer (Optional)
​July 2025
 ​Quarterly Check-In
 ​Zoom
 ​​Meet every three months.
 ​Ambassador (Required)
​September 2025
 ​Fall AIC Meeting
 ​Zoom or In-Person
(Location TBD)
 ​
 ​Ambassador (Optional)
Employer (Optional)
​October 2025
 ​Online Professional Development
 ​Zoom
 ​Continued PD & coaching.
 ​Ambassador (Required)
​October 2025
 ​Quarterly Check-In
 ​Zoom
 ​​Meet every three months.
 ​Ambassador (Required)
​November 2025​
 ​National Apprenticeship Week
 ​In-Person
(Location TBD)
 ​Attend a regional NAW event or webinar based on AIC's direction.
 ​Ambassador (Required)
Employer (Optional)
​December 2025
 ​Winter IWIB & AIC Meetings
 ​In-Person
(Location TBD)
 ​Participant recognition & end-of-year celebration with IWIB & AIC.
 ​Ambassador (Required)
Employer (Optional)

Acronyms:​