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We recognize the important role professional apprenticeships can play in closing the skills gap in North America and we are reaching untapped talent pools, providing greater access to digital economy jobs and helping reskill workers whose jobs have been, or will be, disrupted by technology.

In 2016, Accenture established its internal apprenticeship program, and a year later cofounded, along with AON, the  Chicago Apprentice Network, partnering with local employers like McDonald's, Zurich Insurance and Walgreens to jumpstart their professional apprenticeship programs. Today, the network has 70+ member organizations and has well exceeded its initial goal to create 1,000+ apprenticeships.

Building off the success of the Chicago Apprentice Network, Accenture is working with AON and other organizations to expand the model across the country and has launched six new networks: Greater Washington, D.C.; Houston; Massachusetts; Minnesota; Northern California; and Philadelphia.

We published a national playbook to help other companies join the national movement for professional apprenticeship programs and create a more inclusive innovation  economy.

Total apprentices to date

We set out to understand what U.S. community college students expect from their careers and how much they know about the potential benefits of apprenticeships.

Our findings show that a concerted effort by employers, educators and non-profit partners to build and promote apprenticeship programs has the potential to fundamentally change the professional trajectory for millions of Americans-and the economy as a whole.

Companies, counselors and community stakeholders all have an important role to play in our efforts to close the skills gap and transform the American labor market.
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Boston Globe
Accenture, other companies launch new apprenticeship program

Forbes
Is Hiring Limiting Your Business's Growth? Try This.

The New York Times
Millions have Lost a Step Into the Middle Class, Researchers Say

PBS
Future of Work: Futureproof

CNN Business
No college degree? No problem, say growing number of major employers

SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management)
A Business Case for Apprenticeships

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Apprenticeship in the United States | Accenture

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We recognize the important role professional apprenticeships can play in closing the skills gap in North America and we are reaching untapped talent pools, providing greater access to digital economy jobs and helping reskill workers whose jobs have been, or will be, disrupted by technology.

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The Aon Apprenticeship Program provides students who have not yet completed a post-secondary degree with an entry point to launch a professional career at Aon. Our two-year Apprenticeships combine in-class learning at a local community college with on-the-job learning at Aon. Apprentices earn a competitive salary and full benefits while they work toward completing an Associate Degree with a concentration in business. Applications for the 2022 Aon Apprenticeship Program are now closed, but will open again in 2023.

Interested in learning more? Watch an information session recording.

It's a Partnership

We work with local community colleges and non-profit partners to help Apprentices jumpstart a corporate career. Apprentices receive in-classroom and professional training, while honing skills that will serve them throughout their careers. In addition to paying Apprentices' salary and benefits, Aon covers the costs of tuition and books while also providing career development services and mentoring support.

How It Started

Launched in the U.S. in 2017 with a cohort of 26 students, the Aon Apprenticeship Program has built a network of employers, non-profit partners, and community colleges to create more than 1,000 Apprenticeship positions in the Chicagoland area alone. Recently, Aon announced an investment of $30 million to expand the Apprenticeship Program to new cities over the next five years and we set a goal of creating 10,000 corporate apprenticeships (within Aon, and beyond) by 2030.

Why Aon?

At Aon, our people are a key differentiator that sets us apart from our competitors. Everyone on our team is responsible for acting with integrity, trusting one another and encouraging others to share their unique perspectives. We believe that no individual person or piece of Aon is stronger than the whole, and every colleague deserves to feel accepted for who they are and valued for the insights they bring.

Our Network of Aon Offices and Educational Partners

Apprentices attend classes at an Aon-partnered school three days per week in pursuit of their Associate's degree. The local community network of employers and non-profit partners also fosters a system of support outside of the workplace.

Salaried Position, Paid-For Tuition

Apprentices spend 40 hours per week, split between work and attending classes to complete their Associate Degree with a concentration in business. Aon covers salary, benefits, tuition, fees and books.

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The two-year Aon Apprenticeship Program combines academic instruction at a local community college with employment at Aon. This arrangement provides students who have not completed a traditional four-year college degree with an entry point to launch a professional career at Aon.

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The Chicago Apprentice Network raises awareness of apprenticeship and helps more businesses establish successful apprenticeship programs to offer more opportunities to more people in Chicagoland.

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Pre-apprenticeship definition approved dec 2021

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Information Center

​ Back to Apprenticeship Illinois Home Page

​​Welcome to the Apprenticeship Illinois Information Center.

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What's on this Page?

IWIB Apprenticeship Illinois Committee | Funding Opportunities | Resources for Apprenticeship Professional Development | Apprenticeship Reports and Resources | Sign Up for Apprenticeship Illinois Mailing List | Employer Who Needs Help | Job Seeker Who Needs Help | Apprenticeship Success Stories

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IWIB Apprenticeship Illinois Committee

The Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) established the Apprenticeship Committee in 2016. The IWIB understands apprenticeship is a work-based learning model, which provides a workforce solution for employers and a career pathway strategy for apprentices. Find Meetings, materials, committee lists, workplans, and more. View the Apprenticeship Illinois Monthly Bulletins below:

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June 2022

May 2022

April 2022

January 2022

December 2021

November 2021

October 2021

September 2021

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Funding Opportunities

​​To learn about Apprenticeship funding opportunities in Illinois, visit the funding opportunities page on Illinois workNet for current and past notices at illinoisworknet.com/nofo.

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Resources for Apprenticeship Professional Development

For current apprenticeship grantees and other apprenticeship professionals, there are online learning resources here.

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Articles and Reports

State Reports

2019 Illinois Economic Reports - Released by IDES

Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning in Illinois: A report mandated by Public Act 101-364

Articles

Zero to Tech in One Year: DPI's New Software Development Apprenticeship Program

Logistics Plays Major Role in Region's Economy - Collinsville, IL

Business Engagement Resources

5 Reasons Employers Should Consider Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship Business Engagement: Strategies in Action

A Targeted Approach to Apprenticeship: Business Engagement

Discovery Questions, Active Listening, & Uncovering Pain Points: Presenting Apprenticeship as a Workforce Solution

Cost of Turnover Tool

Financial Services Fact Sheet

Construction Fact Sheet

Health Care Fact Sheet

Information Technology (IT) Fact Sheet

Value Proposition Exercise Presenting Apprenticeship

Upskilling Toolkit

Transportation Fact Sheet

Talking to Businesses: About Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship: The Employer Advantage

Starting an Apprenticeship Resources

​A Step-By-Step Guide to Creating Your Registered Apprenticeship Program

Building Registered Apprenticeship Programs: A Quick-Start Toolkit

Registered Apprenticeship Resources: Example Standards and Work Processes

Apprenticeship Solution Development Track: Idaho

Chicago Apprentice Network: Bridging the Gap Between Talent and Opportunity

Employer's Playbook for Building an Apprenticeship Program

Registered Apprenticeship Planning Tool

Pathway to a Launch an Apprenticeship Program

Technical Assistance Guide: Starting a Registered Apprenticeship Program

Creating an Apprenticeship Program

Why a Major Hotel Chain is Offering Apprenticeships

Youth Apprenticeship - Expanded Pathways

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Apprenticeship Resources

The Roadmap for Racial Equity: An Imperative for Workforce Development Advocates provides a national perspective on racial equity in relation to workforce development.

Developed in coordination with DCEO, the National Governors Associations' The Third Pillar of Apprenticeship: Integrating Diversity Across Illinois' Apprenticeship System document discusses how apprenticeship works for all populations.

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Community Success Stories

Community Success Stories highlight how apprenticeship programs helped communities change or grow and how it helped the workforce.

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IL Center for Specialized Professional Support