DuPage Apprenticeship Team Offers Seamless Transition for Student Intern to Registered Apprentice
Creation Date: 03/27/2026
The DuPage Apprenticeship Team, which originally convened in the fall of 2025, is paving the way for employers to transition their high school student workers into Registered Apprentices seamlessly. Through this partnership among the Technology Center of DuPage (TCD), workNet DuPage, and the College of DuPage (COD), employers can receive assistance in connecting with youth seeking to build their skill sets.
Victor Envelope Co., located in Bensenville, had been exploring hiring high school students for a while when they learned about the Technology Center of DuPage’s summer internship. TCD connects employers with talented students to offer meaningful internship experiences that extend learning beyond the classroom. In partnership with TCD, employers, such as Victor Envelop, can host a high school student intern through a summer placement, or even flexible arrangements during the school year.
In the summer of 2025, Susan Ryan, VP of Human Resources at Victor Envelope, hired their first student intern, and was not disappointed! After being assigned a task, the intern found a solution that ultimately led to a $6k cost savings! In addition, the student had the opportunity to explore advanced manufacturing as their chosen profession, gain hands-on experience in welding, robotics, and automation, and maintenance, and get a jump start on their career.
After seeing firsthand the impact student workers could bring to their company, and how their team could help a young worker develop their skills and discover their career interests, Ryan and the rest of the staff at Victor Envelope wanted to know how they could continue to support their student and grow this experience to benefit both the student and the company, and discussed this with Castillo at TCD. As part of the DuPage Apprentice Team, TCD then introduced Ryan to their partners at College of DuPage.
Staff at COD then explained to Ryan that, as a DOL Registered Apprenticeship Program Sponsor, College of DuPage provides employers with the opportunity to access Registered Apprenticeship without having to create and register a program of their own. And while the program is already registered, employers can customize both the on-the-job training experience and coursework to meet their company's needs. In addition, COD handles all registration paperwork with the Department of Labor and provides wraparound support to the apprentices. Ryan stated that any hesitation she may have had about exploring apprenticeship opportunities was negated by the support TCD and COD provided throughout the process. “TCD’s summer internship program allowed us to connect with a student interested in a hands-on experience. And now that the summer intern will be participating in COD’s apprenticeship program. It’s a win-win proposition. We are developing and supporting young talent, and our apprentices are learning as they are earning.”
After discussing Registered Apprenticeship Programs with the College of DuPage, Ryan realized the apprentice-training model was also an opportunity for Victor Envelop to grow talent from within. In addition to converting their high school student intern into a college apprentice, Victor Envelop is also sending a second employee to COD to upskill as an apprentice!
As employers consider their future workforce, the DuPage Apprenticeship Team is encouraging companies to consider youth and student workers to develop the talent they seek. DAT offers a one-stop shop to learn more about engaging with both the high school and postsecondary spaces, as well as funding opportunities offered through workNet DuPage. For those considering apprenticeship as a talent pipeline solution, Victor Envelop offers this advice: “Schedule an exploratory call with COD to discuss the options and opportunities that apprenticeship programs offer employers. You will be glad you did!”