HR0827 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0827 LRB104 21538 MST 36936 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, National Apprenticeship Week annually raises awareness of the vital role registered apprenticeships provide in meeting critical industry workforce demands by developing the highly skilled workforce that employers need and by creating pathways for Americans to catapult into in-demand, high-paying careers; and

WHEREAS, Registered apprenticeship programs are industry-driven, high-quality career pathways that enable employers to develop and train their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience with a mentor, progressive wage increases, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential; and

WHEREAS, Registered apprenticeships are a work-based training model that allows apprentices to earn while they learn and provides a pathway to lucrative and meaningful careers, enabling employers to develop and train their future workforce; and

WHEREAS, Registered apprenticeships help employers grow their business by developing a skilled workforce, improve a business's productivity, profitability, and sustainability, and increase the loyalty and retention of workers; and

WHEREAS, Recent research demonstrates that employers participating in registered apprenticeships report a 44% return on investment, and that workers who have completed registered apprenticeship programs earn an average of $300,000 more over their career compared to peers who did not; and

WHEREAS, Registered apprenticeships provide a critical talent pipeline that has helped address some of the most pressing workforce challenges in Illinois and the United States, such as filling the growing demand for skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and other occupations; and

WHEREAS, Registered apprenticeships can play a critical role in all industries, including health care, agriculture, technology, financial services, education, energy, transportation, hospitality, construction, and telecommunications, because a registered apprenticeship is a flexible model that is customized to meet the needs of every business and industry; and

WHEREAS, Registered apprenticeships are not only industry-vetted but also approved by state and federal agencies in order to leverage the power of coordination between the private and public sectors; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 26 to May 2, 2026 as Apprenticeship Week 2026 in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge stakeholders and partners to recognize the value of registered apprenticeships and to promote awareness and expansion of apprenticeships during Apprenticeship Week 2026.