Apprenticeship Directory
A Directory to Apprenticeship Programs in the Illinois Valley

Your Career Path to a Skilled Trade in the Field of Construction

What Areas of Illinois Does This Book Cover?

This book  contains information on  apprenticeship programs located in or accepting applications from the residents of  Bureau,  Putnam  and  LaSalle Counties, as well as the additional counties listed on the following pages according to their respective trades. In some instances, a program may accept applicants from other counties or may only allow residents of a particular area to apply.  This information will be listed in the Basic Requirement section for each program.

Why Choose A Career in Construction?

Why?   Because the construction industry offers a wide variety of exciting options to young men and women!  A career in the construction trades will provide excellent wages and benefits, job security, opportunity for advancement, and the chance to create something that will last for years to come.

There are  currently more  than five million people working in construction and more than 250,000 new workers will be needed every year.

What is an Apprentice?

An apprentice is an individual who learns a craft through classroom instruction and on-the-job training.  Classes are taught by men and women who are skilled in that trade while on-the-job training is overseen by construction employers.

Unlike other training programs, most apprentices are paid while they are developing their skills.  As their skill level increases, so does their pay level.

How to Get Started

Whether you know the craft you would like to enter or even if you haven’t yet made up your mind, this handbook is designed to answer most of your questions regarding a career in the construction building trades.

Regardless of  your choice, being prepared is essential.  It’s important to start planning for your future now.   How?  By taking the recommended courses, by obtaining applications, and by making sure you possess all the requirements needed to enter the apprenticeship program.

Preparing for a  career in construction takes some planning on your part.   A little hard work now will result in a satisfying, well-paying career in your future.

Apprenticeship Information Centers of the Illinois Department of Employment Security

The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) recognizes the construction industry’s importance in the creation of jobs.  Every year, thousands of people get jobs in construction and this number is predicted to increase as employers struggle to meet the demands for skilled  tradespeople.  To help individuals get started on a career in the construction trades,  IDES developed the Apprenticeship Information Centers.  These centers, located in IDES offices and in Illinois Employment and Training Center (IETC) offices,  allow you to obtain detailed information about apprenticeship programs and also find out when specific construction trades are accepting applications for entrance into their program.

Requirements for Application: (Bring the following with you the the IDES Center)

*  Your high school diploma or G.E.D. certificate.
*  The name(s) and address(es) of the school(s) you have attended.
*  A copy of your birth certificate.
*  The names, addresses, and telephone numbers of two or three individuals who will
   serve as your personal references.
*  A Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (Form DD-214).  (Veterans
   only.)

Click here to enter Apprenticeship Directory for each Construction Trade

The information on this website has been collected and prepared by the Illinois Valley Construction Industry Labor/Management Program.  Every effort has been made by the Program to assure the accuracy of  the data.  The Illinois Valley Construction  Industry  Labor/Management Program makes no endorsement or recommendation of any of the apprenticeship programs described on this website.  The information contained on this website may be reproduced with appropriate credit given to the Illinois Valley Construction Industry Labor/Management Program.  All rights reserved.