The State of Illinois kicked off the eighth annual National Apprenticeship Week. To celebrate the occasion, Governor JB Pritzker issued a proclamation highlighting the importance of apprenticeships in expanding career opportunities for Illinoisans of all backgrounds. Throughout the week, more than 50 events will be hosted through DCEO, other state agencies, and workforce partners across the state. Visit Illinois’ National Apprenticeship Week page to learn more about events and ways to get involved during National Apprenticeship Week: Apprenticeship Illinois Apprenticeship Week – November 14 – 20, 2022 (illinoisworknet.com) The State of Illinois has prioritized expanding access to apprenticeship programs, making critical investments through legislation and programming to reduce barriers to high-wage jobs. This includes expanding the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship program, making significant capital investments in new training centers across the State, and significant investments to develop new statewide training programs – including apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs – through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA). Apprenticeship Illinois, which serves as a one-stop-shop for information and resources on apprenticeships in Illinois, has 543 U.S. Department of Labor registered apprenticeship programs, with more than 18,000 active apprentices, and nearly 4,000 new apprenticeships in the second quarter of this year. To learn more about how to get involved this National Apprenticeship Week, please visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s website or Apprenticeship Illinois’ website.