CHICAGO (June 3, 2025) –  As the cost of college climbs and workforce needs shift, a new report warns Illinois is neglecting a powerful tool to fight poverty and fill critical jobs: apprenticeships.

The Center for Poverty Solutions at the Illinois Policy Institute released a report today revealing the state is spending just $148 million on apprenticeship and workforce training programs – or immersive training programs for specific occupations – compared to $2.6 billion allocated to traditional higher education in the current fiscal year. That’s a 17-to-1 funding gap, despite increasing demand for alternative paths into the workforce.

Illinois is falling behind peer states such as Texas in gaining new apprentices, the center found. While the state has 446 registered programs, the vast majority aren’t tailored to young adults. More than 77% are concentrated in Cook County and surrounding suburbs.

“The ‘degree-best’ mindset is leaving too many students behind, especially low-income, first-generation students,” said Lauren Zuar, policy researcher at the Illinois Policy Institute. “We need a system that offers real choices and options for success. A more robust career-first education system in Illinois could mean thousands more earning a good living and out of poverty.”

Experts say apprenticeships can improve the economy and lift individuals out of poverty. An apprenticeship graduate earns on average over $300,000 more across a career. Despite that, Illinois has not made meaningful investments in apprenticeships, particularly for students outside metro Chicago or those still in high school.

“Illinois has the chance to lead the nation in prioritizing career readiness over outdated degree-only expectations. We need to give students more viable, affordable options that lead to employment,” said Josh Bandoch, head of policy for the Illinois Policy Institute. “We do this by re-prioritizing workforce programs in state funding and dismantling the stigma that apprenticeships are inferior to college education.”

College vs. career: rethinking the advanced education model

The report highlights several barriers within the current college-focused education model:

• Limited return on investment: Over 150,000 Illinoisans with bachelor’s degrees live in poverty, including 58,000 in Chicago.
• Low completion rates: Fewer than half of Illinoisans who enroll in college earn a degree; just 41% graduate from public universities.
• Soaring tuition: In-state students pay nearly $15,000 per year – 50% above the national average.

In contrast, apprenticeships offer benefits including:

• Higher pay: Illinois apprentices can earn up to twice the national average wage after completion. Occupations in construction trades, manufacturing, technology, health care, education, transportation and finance all have median annual wages higher than the national average of $55,000.
• Better job prospects: Vocational graduates are 44% more likely to be hired than those with a bachelor’s degree and 46% more likely than those with a graduate degree.
• Diverse career paths: Programs span construction, manufacturing, technology, health care, finance, education and transportation, all with annual wages above the $55,000 national median.

Recommendations to close the gap and foster better opportunities

The Center for Poverty Solutions calls on lawmakers and education leaders to:

• Increase funding for apprenticeships. For an additional $55.2 million annually, Illinois could fill a workforce gap of nearly 12,000 workers.
• Shift funding from universities by trimming bureaucracy. If Illinois redirected its higher education administrative expenses – which total over $428.8 million – it could train more students and meet the state’s workforce needs.
• Expand non-registered apprenticeships. These offer employers more flexibility, are quicker to implement and require less paperwork.
• Modernize occupational licensing. New programs could allow apprenticeships to count toward licensing requirements in fields such as cosmetology, reducing student debt.
• Empower local innovation. Encourage municipalities to create custom programs that fit local industry needs.
• Eliminate red tape. Work with state and local lawmakers to simplify registration, make data more transparent and offer customizable frameworks for employers, and ensure apprenticeship databases are publicly accessible, comprehensive and accurate.

To read the Center for Poverty Solutions report, “Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education,” visit illin.is/apprentices.

For interviews or interviews, contact media@illinoispolicy.org or (312) 607-4977.