What Could an Apprentice Do for Your Business?
An apprenticeship isn’t just another training program. It’s a way to develop employees around the skills your operation actually needs.
Let’s Talk About Your Workforce Needs
Build the Skilled Workforce You Need
Food & Beverage Apprenticeship Grant
Struggling to fill production, maintenance, quality or technical positions?
The Food & Beverage Apprenticeship Grant, funded through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), creates an opportunity for eligible food and beverage manufacturers to explore registered apprenticeship programs that build the skills their operations need.
IMEC helps you build the program AND handles the heavy lifting.
IMEC helps you build and manage the program. We support program design, registration, documentation, compliance, and grant reporting.Your company identifies the workforce needs and candidates. Together, we explore whether an apprenticeship and the grant requirements align with your operation.
You don’t need to have every detail figured out before starting a conversation.
Where Could an Apprenticeship Strengthen Your Operation?
- Industrial maintenance: Equipment troubleshooting, preventive maintenance, and repair
- Production and process operations: Equipment operation, process consistency, and production skills
- Quality and food safety: Quality processes, inspection, and food safety practices
- Advanced technical roles: Automation, mechatronics, and related technical skills
Have Questions About Apprenticeships? You're Not Alone.
No workforce strategy guarantees retention.
But employers can create an apprenticeship experience that gives employees a reason to stay.
Registered apprenticeship provides structured training, mentorship and skill development. In a U.S. Department of Labor study of employers participating in the American Apprenticeship Initiative, 90% of the reference apprentices who completed their programs stayed with their employer. The study notes that the employers surveyed may not represent all apprenticeship employers, so the figure should not be interpreted as a guarantee.
What can manufacturers do?
- • Provide a dedicated mentor.
- • Establish clear skill milestones.
- • Connect training to advancement opportunities.
- • Communicate how wages can progress as skills increase.
- • Give employees meaningful work and responsibility.
- • Help employees see how they can build a career with the company.
You don't have to start with a traditional candidate.
Depending on the program and applicable requirements, apprenticeship opportunities may be available to people who don't have a traditional educational background.
IMEC can work with manufacturers to explore opportunities for:
- • Current employees
- • Entry-level workers
- • Individuals without a high school diploma or GED
- • Temporary workers
- • Migrant workers
- • Individuals who are not U.S. citizens but are authorized to work in the United States
IMEC does not directly recruit or place employees. Your company identifies the workforce needs and candidates it wants to develop.
We help you explore the right apprenticeship structure, define the skills to be developed, and navigate program design and registration. If you're unsure where to start, we can discuss your workforce needs and help identify practical next steps.
That's exactly where IMEC helps.
IMEC can help with:
- Program Design: Build an apprenticeship around your workforce needs.
- Registration: Guide you through the registered apprenticeship process.
- Documentation: Help develop the necessary program materials.
- Compliance: Provide guidance throughout the program.
- Grant Administration: Help with reporting and grant requirements.
We'll start by learning about your operation, the roles and skills you're looking to develop, and your workforce goals. From there, IMEC can help you explore whether a registered apprenticeship may be a fit and what program and grant requirements need to be reviewed.
You don't need an existing apprenticeship program or a complete training plan to start the conversation.
Why Apprenticeship?
Build Skills. Build Careers. Build Your Workforce.
Develop the skills you need.
Train employees around the technical skills specific to your operation.
Expand your talent pool.
Look beyond traditional candidates and develop people with potential.
Improve retention.
Create a structured path for employees to develop skills and advance.
Reduce the burden on your team.
IMEC helps manage the administrative side of establishing the program.
Put grant funding to work.
Use available DCEO funding to help offset eligible apprenticeship program costs.
Apprenticeship Is an Investment in Your Workforce
The latest U.S. Department of Labor research reviewing employer ROI studies found that the most comprehensive estimates ranged from 40% to 90%, meaning employers could receive approximately $1.40 to $1.90 in benefits for every $1 invested. DOL also notes that benefits can include productivity, reduced turnover, stronger talent pipelines, employee engagement and future management development.
Employer results vary based on program design, occupation, employer and other factors. These figures are based on research across registered apprenticeship programs and are not a guarantee of results for an individual manufacturer.
How It Works
From Workforce Challenge to Apprenticeship
1. Start the conversation
Tell us about the positions you're struggling to fill.
2. Identify the opportunity
We'll explore whether apprenticeship makes sense for your workforce needs.
3. Build the program
IMEC helps develop the structure, training and requirements.
4. Get the program moving
We'll guide you through registration and grant requirements.
5. Develop your workforce
Your apprentice earns while learning and develops the skills your operation needs.