20,064

1,646

435

Active Apprentices

Total Employers

.Active Programs

The WIOA Summit was held in Collinsville on April 24th and 25th. Apprenticeship programs were highlighted throughout the sessions. There was a panel discussion with three of the Apprentice Ambassadors and Sheryl Morris, the Executive Director of UNITE HERE Chicago Hospitality Institute, IWIB member, and leader of the Apprentice Ambassador Program, a fireside chat that included Daniel Serota, Chair of the Apprenticeship Committee, Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB), discussing the Future of Work and the role apprenticeships can play, and several sessions on apprenticeship programs, from recruiting businesses on how to develop apprenticeship programs to programs already in existence and achieving successful outcomes.

In addition to the summit, business tours were offered on the afternoon of April 23rd. One of the tours was to West Star Aviation, which started its own in-house apprenticeship academy to help meet the needs of airplane maintenance personnel.

At the end of the summit's first day, two food trucks were present so summit participants could purchase meals. Both food truck operators are completers of the Food Truck Operator Apprenticeship Program through Soulcial Kitchen. This was the first apprenticeship program for food truck operators in the nation.

Attendees of the WIOA Summit were treated to delicious meals from SoulFull and Big Meechies Food Truck after the first day. The owners of both food trucks successfully finished the Food Truck Operator Apprenticeship Program offered by Soulcial Kitchen. This program, the first of it's kind in the nation, collaborated with Madison County Employment and Training and St. Clair County Illinois Intergovernmental Grants to establish a Registered Apprenticeship Program endorsed by the U.S. Department of Labor.

Chair of the IWIB Apprenticeship Illinois and Vice President of Government & Public Affairs at Aon, Daniel Serota joined other State and national experts, Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) members, and employers to discuss the workforce trends and respond to changing demands while highlighting what is ahead. during the "Future of Workforce" Plenary Session at the 2024 WIOA Summit.

Highlighted Panelists Included:

• Julio Rodriguez, Deputy Director of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, Office of Employment and Training.
• Andrew Warrington, Ph.D., Co-Chair of the IWIB and Chief Executive Officer of UCC Environment.
• Daniel Serota, Chair of the IWIB Apprenticeship Illinois and Vice President of Government & Public Affairs at Aon
• Gina Wells, Senior TA Consultant for Workforce, American Institutes for Research

In addition to the summit, business tours were offered on the afternoon of April 23rd. One of the tours was to West Star Aviation, which started its own in-house apprenticeship academy to help meet the needs of airplane maintenance personnel.

West Star Aviation specializes in airframe repair and maintenance, engine repair and maintenance, major modifications, avionics installation and repair, interior refurbishment, paint, parts, surplus avionics sales, window repair and accessory services. The company also provides complete Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services for transient aircraft at its East Alton and Grand Junction facilities. 

West Star Aviation believes that empowering individuals to shape their desired career while providing the support they deserve will have a transformative impact on the Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) pipeline. This empowerment attracts a more diverse and highly skilled workforce, fosters innovation, and secures the long-term health and growth of the aviation industry. This is the driving force behind the establishment of West Star Aviation Academy (WSAA). 

WSAA serves as the exclusive in-house learning hub for West Star's innovative apprenticeship initiative. Prospective technicians joining West Star will kick off their journey as full-time, paid apprentices at WSAA, engaging in a comprehensive 7.5-month program. Throughout their time at WSAA, these apprentices will undergo extensive training in airframe maintenance, refining their skills through hands-on sessions in partnership with Southwestern Illinois College and Choose Aerospace. Mentorship and job shadowing opportunities will further bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical experience. The primary objective of WSAA is to cultivate a proficient pool of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) licensed aircraft maintenance technicians, eliminating obstacles related to employment and meeting educational and licensing prerequisites. In exchange, WSAA graduates will commit to long-term employment with West Star, leveraging their skills and seizing career growth opportunities. Watch the West Star Aviation Academy WIOA Summit Session Here or Below.

Paraprofessional+: Illinois' First Teacher Apprenticeship Program

West Star Aviation Apprenticeship Academy - Rethinking the Apprenticeship Model

The Voice of the Apprentice: A Panel on Illinois' Apprentice Ambassadors

Yes! It's Possible To Incorporate Youth Into Your Talent Pipeline - May 9, 2024 8 AM - 9 AM CST.

Investing in youth today helps to create a more vibrant workforce tomorrow. Dive into the world of pre-apprenticeship programs and work-based learning to nurture a diverse pool of skilled talent for your talent pipeline. Uncover the magic of building a youth apprenticeship pathway, soak in the perks of building a pre-apprenticeship program from employer models, learn how to team up with educational providers, and watch your investment bloom into a fruitful ROI.

Youth Apprenticeship Models in Underserved Populations - May 15, 2024 9 AM - 10 AM CST.

Discover how to create a youth apprenticeship program, from engaging with your local Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA) to learning what you can expect from the youth apprentice. During this webinar you will learn, from a proven model, what a successful youth apprentice program entails and how it can strategically guide students from underserved populations into employment and community involvement post high school. 

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