Hire An Apprentice

Harper College has Apprenticeship Opportunities Available

RSVP for the Strategy for Attracting and Retaining Talent virtual information session or fill out our Employer Interest Form to have someone contact you about your business and talent needs.

Scroll to bottom of page for fact sheets, agreements, and other resources.

Why an Apprenticeship?

Is your business losing skills to retirements? Do you need a sound strategy to replace experienced talent? Consider hiring an apprentice. Apprenticeship with Harper College is a low-risk hiring strategy that builds loyalty and allows you to develop employee training programs that pass on the knowledge of your experienced employees before they retire.

Apprenticeships can help your company

Improve your strategy for hiring a skilled workforce
Fill in your company’s skills gap
‘Grow your own’ talent to teach your company’s ‘way’
Increase employee loyalty and reduce turnover
Diversify your workforce
Reduce recruiting cost
Ensure knowledge of seasoned experts is passed down before they retire
Put entry-level employees on the career path

NEW!! As of January 1, 2020, Illinois employers can receive a tax credit for employing a registered apprentice.

In addition, apprenticeships offer the following benefits:

Tailored Training

The employer chooses the apprentice’s mentor who is responsible for training and developing the apprentice on the job. The educational component of the apprenticeship program is designed so apprentices can immediately apply theory learned in the classrooms to practice while at work. Upon graduation, apprentices are fully qualified for their occupation and ready to excel in your company.

Access

Harper College acts as the buffer between your company and the Department of Labor (DOL). Harper will file all necessary paperwork including registering your apprentice, providing you with check lists of competencies observed, and preparing students to earn their credentials. Furthermore Harper provides the mentors working with apprentices a Train the Trainer program at the beginning of their journey to bring context to their new responsibilities with an apprentice.

Recruiting Cost

Companies are invited to calculate the Return on Investment of hiring an apprentice here. With a steady stream of new apprentices going through Harper’s program, employers will have continued access to new talent. Harper’s Registered Apprenticeship employee training programs can significantly reduce costs associated with recruitment and retention.

Greater Loyalty

Investing in your employees is a proven method to build loyalty. Apprenticeship creates a valuable working relationship from the beginning that will help the apprentice establish a career within your company with a strong foundation of knowledge and connections with colleagues.

Mentor Training

Companies choose a mentor, or mentors, who are responsible for training the apprentices on the job. These mentors are required to attend a 4-session program called “Train the Trainer.” The program guides mentors on how to best train an apprentice. Train the Trainer is an interactive workshop with hands-on experience, group work, information on best practices, techniques on providing constructive feedback and setting goals, and much more.

Participants taking this series of workshops have said:

“I can’t believe I used to assume so much!”

“We are implementing SMART Goals and starting to use them.”

“These classes would be great for everyone at the company who instruct others.”

Train the Trainer Manual (PDF)

Employer Resources

Harper College Registered Apprenticeship Program Fact Sheets, Agreements, and Other Resources