The Apprentice Perspective
Apprenticeships are on the rise in Illinois. These programs help businesses build the high-skill talent they need while offering Illinoisans a pathway to long-term, family-sustaining careers in high-demand fields—often without the need for a four-year degree.
The Apprentice Perspective podcast features conversations with apprentices and work-based learning leaders about the impact of apprenticeship on Illinois workers and businesses, as well as emerging innovations in work-based learning across the state. The show highlights the stories of participants in the Apprentice Ambassador Program and recipients of the WBLA Catalysts Initiative.
The Apprentice Ambassador Program brings together a yearly cohort of outstanding current or former apprentices representing a wide range of industries and communities across Illinois. During their year in the program, Apprentice Ambassadors serve as guest speakers at business engagement events, sharing how apprenticeship has shaped their careers, supported their families, and strengthened their companies. This podcast brings those stories directly to you. Each episode also features a guest host who is a leader in business, government, or workforce development.
The WBLA Catalysts Initiative recognizes innovative and high-quality work-based learning programs across Illinois. Award recipients share their best practices through a toolkit on Illinois WorkNet designed to help scale successful models and turn effective local solutions into statewide standards.
Join us to hear the stories of people who chose a nontraditional path to a family-sustaining career—and to explore the future of work-based learning in Illinois.
Disclaimer: This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s (DOL) Employment and Training Administration. The product was created by the contractor and does not necessarily reflect the official position of DOL. DOL makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.
The Apprentice Perspective
Latest Episodes
"K.I.S.S. Principle" - John Hall & Patrick Hall
Patrick Hall didn’t know what he wanted to do when he was in college. He tried accounting before falling into a job with Joliet Junior College, and after almost a decade, he is now the Manager of Work-Based Learning and Outreach. Patrick descri...
"Being the Voice I Didn't Have" - Christina Harms & Steve Lefaver
Christina Harms, a union painter with Mid-Illinois Company, grew up around the trades. Her father was a union laborer and had been on jobsites since she was young, but recalls never seeing a woman on-site. After attending college twice, first f...
"Find What Clicks" - Jarrod Gayheart & Zackary Thurman
In this episode of The Apprentice Perspective, it’s Ambassador on Ambassador. Jarrod Gayheat, a Service Tech with Birkey’s, talks with Zack Thurman, A Precision Farming Specialist, with Birkey’s. Zack is a 2025 alumni of the Apprentice Ambassad...
“The Door that I Was Looking For” - Beril Mese & Taylor Black
Beril Mese, a second year Service Analyst apprentice at Allstate, originally studied music. She realized after graduating that the only path forward was academia and knew that wasn’t where she wanted to be. During her twenties she took a series...
"More than Just a Way to Get to Work" - Revolution Workshop & Sheryl Morris
Revolution Workshop is a nonprofit out of Chicago that is truly living up to its name. It began as a way to help Black and Brown people, and in particular women, enter construction and earn family-sustaining wages. What they realized was the is...
Podcasts we love
Check out these other fine podcasts recommended by us, not an algorithm.
Will Works Podcast
Workforce Investment Board of Will County