The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is accepting applications for its 2025 Apprenticeship Expansion Competitive Grant Program to establish high-impact apprenticeship intermediaries focused on expanding Registered Apprenticeship Programs throughout the State of Illinois.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/21/2025
Size of the Grant: $500,000 to $1 million
Grant Duration: 2 Years
Details:
Registered apprenticeship programs (RAPs) are proven models of job preparation, validated by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), which combine paid on-the-job learning (OJL) with related instruction (RI) to progressively increase workers’ skill levels and wages. RAPs are also a business-driven model that provide an effective way for employers to recruit, train, and retain highly skilled workers. RAPs allow workforce partners, educators, and employers to develop and apply industry standards to training programs, thereby increasing the quality and productivity of the workforce. RAPs offer job-seekers immediate employment opportunities that pay sustainable wages and offer advancement along a career path as they complete their training. Graduates of RAPs receive nationally recognized, portable credentials, and their training may be applied toward further post-secondary education. Apprenticeship programs are distinguished from other types of workplace training models by several factors:
- Apprentices are employed and paid during the apprenticeship program;
- Apprenticeship programs provide on-the-job learning and job-related classroom training;
- On-the-job learning is conducted in the work setting under the direction of a mentor(s); and
- Training results in an industry-recognized and portable credential.
Apprenticeship is a flexible training model that can be customized to meet the needs of every business and industry. Apprenticeship programs help employers:
- Recruit and develop a diverse and highly skilled workforce that helps grow their business.
- Improve productivity, profitability, and an employer’s bottom line.
- Create flexible training options that ensure workers develop the right skills.
- Receive tax credits.
- Increase staff loyalty and retention of workers, during and following the apprenticeship.
- Provide efficient and cost-effective ways to keep staffing at the best level to meet goals and support apprentices by beginning a solid career and growing their skills without taking on large amounts of college debt.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $10,000,000.
- Award Range: $200,000 – $1,000,000.
Grant Period
Anticipated start date for awards is July 1, 2025. The period of performance is expected to be 24 months with possible renewals of an additional 12 months based on the grant negotiations, the availability of funding, and the program regulations.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants for the Illinois Apprenticeship Expansion Program include Community-based organizations, municipalities, education institutions (i.e. school districts, community colleges), industry associations, state-agencies, workforce boards, and non-profits who will perform the duties of a high-impact intermediary.
For more information, visit DCEO.
