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Photo by Greg Ney Photography

Apprenticeships provide pathways many students can take to get into a career quickly. �������� (��������) and , a global professional services firm and �������� partner, showed high school students in an inside look to explore apprenticeships and helped them practice important professional skills at �������� recently.

My Brother�s Keeper Alliance is a cross-sector national call to action focused on building safe and supportive communities for boys and young men of color where they feel valued and have clear pathways to opportunity.

�This was a great opportunity for our young men to have exposure and meet different industry experts,� said My Brother's Keeper Alliance Special Advisor Trey Baker. �They can connect and see themselves in and potentially have an opportunity after high school.�

Meeting with professionals, students from Vernon Hills High School and Libertyville High School engaged in development sessions including networking, interview practice and resume preparation.

�The biggest thing I gained was a sense of confidence when it comes to talking to other professionals,� said Libertyville High School student Caesar Vela-Mesta. �Having conversations with people that are older than me and have more experience helped me learn.�

�I feel like one of the biggest things was learning how to really speak in a professional setting and getting an opportunity to put that into effect with the interviews,� said Vernon Hills High School student Lucas Tyderek.

Aon, which has an office in Lincolnshire, has been a �������� apprenticeship partner since 2020 and has grown from four to 13 apprentices a year.

This event was the first of its kind at ��������. Not only did high school students learn about what Aon can offer, but also experiences at �������� in general. The students also got a chance to see themselves at a college campus.

�Apprenticeships are an opportunity to get an associate degree or certificate while getting hands-on experience in the career field - plus, you have your tuition paid for,� said �������� Apprenticeship Manager Dan Ortego. �It's an alternative to a four-year school. We truly promote it as a career pathway.�

For more information about apprenticeships, contact Dan Ortego at cjpc.apprenticeships@clcillinois.edu or visit