Sangamon Sun

Rep. Mike Coffey highlighted the opportunities available to Illinois residents through apprenticeship programs, stating, "apprenticeship programs are fantastic options that allow people to learn on-the-job training for great paying jobs in the workforce." He made this statement in a July 12 Facebook post.

"Apprenticeship programs are fantastic options that allow people to learn on the job training for great paying jobs in the workforce," said Mike Coffey, Jr, State Representative, according to Facebook. "Illinois has an abundant amount of resources for individuals who want to learn a trade!"

In his post, Coffey shared a link to an Illinois Policy report on apprenticeships. Published on July 10, the article says that "Graduates of public universities in Illinois have the worst return on investment in the Midwest, according to the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity." It also mentions that college graduates in the state are underemployed and suggests that apprenticeships could be a better option.

Screenshot of Rep. Mike Coffey's July 12 Facebook post | State Representative Mike Coffey Facebook page

According to Illinois Policy, "Apprenticeships allow people to learn on the job without incurring student debt and while earning a living. Apprenticeships are well paid. According to the Progressive Policy Institute, people who complete an apprenticeship earn an average salary of $77,000 compared to the national average salary of $55,000."

A 2016 report titled "The Impact of Apprenticeship Programs in Illinois," from the Illinois Economic Policy Institute points out that "the annual income gain from participating in a registered apprenticeship program is $3,442 on average, or $119,850 in additional income over the course of the worker’s career after accounting for out-of-pocket upfront costs. In Illinois, this impact on wages is greater than the average effect of having an associate degree and many bachelor’s degrees."

According to Apprenticeship Illinois, there are currently 443 active registered apprenticeship programs with 1,641 employers and more than 20,000 active apprentices working in the state. These apprenticeships span various fields including advanced manufacturing, finance and business, telecommunications, and information technology.

Coffey filled a vacancy in the legislature in January 2023 following Tim Butler's retirement. A lifelong Springfield resident and business owner, Coffey has been involved with his family’s Springfield restaurant "Saputo’s" and opened his own restaurant "Papa Frank’s" in Springfield in 2015. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Illinois. Coffey resides in Springfield with his wife and three children.