When Carlos walked out of Western Illinois Correctional Center in 2021, he had $50 in gate money, a pair of state-issued boots, and seven years of separation from his family.

"I thought nobody was ever going to hire a 34-year-old with an armed robbery conviction," Carlos recalls. "Every time someone talked about jobs, people told me to look for fast food or dishwashing. There is nothing wrong with those jobs, but I had two kids to support and rent to pay."

Finding a Pathway

During his first month back in Peoria, Carlos connected with a local reentry navigator at Peoria Rescue Ministries who introduced him to a regional pre-apprenticeship program funded through the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).

The 10-week pre-apprenticeship program covered:

• Math for the trades and blueprint reading
• OSHA-10 Safety Certification and CPR
• Hand and power tool proficiency
• Direct mentorship from retired union journeymen

Unlike traditional trade schools that charge thousands in tuition, the program was 100% free and included a $250 weekly stipend to help cover gas and groceries while Carlos attended morning classes.

Earning the Card

Upon completing the pre-apprenticeship, Carlos sat for the IBEW Local 34 electrician apprentice aptitude test. Having spent hours after class reviewing electrical formulas with his peer mentor, he scored in the top 15% of applicants.

"The day I opened my acceptance letter into the union apprenticeship, I cried in my truck," said Carlos. "They looked at my work ethic, my aptitude, and my willingness to show up on time every single day. They didn't care about the numbers on my old DOC badge."

Today, Carlos is a fourth-year apprentice earning $38 an hour with full family health benefits, dental insurance, and a union pension plan.

Carlos's 3 Pieces of Advice

• Look Into the Skilled Trades Early: Carpenters, electricians, laborers, and welders are facing massive labor shortages across Illinois. Many unions have dedicated reentry programs.
• Surround Yourself with Builders, Not Reminders: "You cannot hang around the same corners and expect different results. Find mentors who have what you want."
• Be Relentlessly Punctual: "If call time is 7:00 AM, arrive at 6:40 AM. Show people that your word and your reliability are ironclad."