Creation Date: 12/18/2025

Location of Service: 60137-6708

Program Details

In DuPage County, apprenticeship programs have been growing steadily over the past ten years, with many different employers, educational institutions, and professional organizations putting effort into expanding this training pathway.  Illinois has seen a 77% increase in apprentices since 2014 (Illinois Economic Policy Institute), and the Registered Apprenticeship Programs at College of DuPage (COD) have grown from less than 10 apprentices their inaugural year to more than 50 active apprentices and more than 50 apprentice completers. And in the fall of 2025, key leaders in this space joined together to further expedite the growth of apprenticeship in DuPage County. 

In September 2025, Lisa Schvach, Executive Director of workNet DuPage, called together a convening of professionals in DuPage County that have a vested interest in seeing current apprenticeship programs grow and new apprenticeship programs develop. Representatives from 15 area organizations joined together to discuss the value of the apprenticeship model as a way to address workforce shortages across industries in the area, as well as the desire for DuPage County to continue its good work as a leader in this space.  All participants agreed that their shared goals for DuPage County could be more easily achieved through increased collaboration, and thus the DuPage Apprenticeship Team was formed. 

“The partners of our Team are truly positioned to move the needle on apprenticeship adoption because we consist of people who serve businesses in their roles as economic developers, industry associations, labor organizations, and HR firms, as well as those who serve job seekers and students. With no pieces of the puzzle missing, we are presenting a unified picture of the value of apprenticeships to our community.” 

The DuPage Apprenticeship Team seeks to build awareness around apprenticeship programs and socialize the idea of apprenticeships in DuPage County.  Through participation in this group, members gain a more robust understanding of the value of apprenticeship programs and are able to speak to the benefits of apprenticeship for both the employer and the apprentice, as well as know how to guide employers who are interested in apprenticeship to the appropriate channels.  The partnership has also enhanced the communication going out to DuPage employers, creating a consistent message around apprenticeship.  Organizations such as workNet DuPage, COD, and DuPage Area Occupational Education System (DAOES) can now more easily collaborate to provide better service to area employers.  Since the initiation of DuPage Apprenticeship Team, these groups have already partnered on 10 joint meetings with interested employers. While workNet DuPage was already partnering with COD and DAOES prior to the formation of the DuPage Apprenticeship Team, the formation of the group has strengthened the alliance.  

As the DuPage Apprenticeship Team meets with employers interested in hiring apprentices and/or upskilling current employees, they will learn about COD’s Project Hire-Ed apprenticeship office, which simplifies the apprenticeship process for employers.  As a Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship Program sponsor, intermediary and related technical instruction provider, COD serves as a one-stop shop for employers seeking this pathway, handling program design, recruiting apprentices, coordinating training, providing support, and managing administration.  “Employers don’t need to navigate apprenticeship alone. College of DuPage’s Project Hire-Ed brings everything together in one place, making it easier to build sustainable talent pipelines that work for both businesses and apprentices.” 

DuPage Apprenticeship Team is creating a network of professionals who will advocate for apprenticeship as they are conducting their regular business in the community.  After only a few short months, the team has successfully streamlined their messaging to employers and found new ways to partner and support each other’s initiatives.  As they continue to socialize apprenticeship in DuPage County, it is expected that more employers will take advantage of this talent pipeline strategy and community members will benefit from the earn while you learn model that apprenticeship provides.