Illinois now ranks as the number one state for workforce development in the Midwest and number three in the country for 2026, according to a new report by Site Selection magazine.

The report highlights Illinois’ continued job and economic growth, innovative workforce programs and employment services. The state’s ranking improved from number two regionally and number four nationally.

Combining metrics from multiple organizations such as the Bureau of Labor Statistics, SkillsUSA, Lumina Foundation, ACT, and Strada, the rankings evaluated states on workforce capacity, technical skills and productivity, and return on investment.

Illinois has invested in and prioritized programs that give workers a competitive advantage in the workforce, including apprenticeship programs at every level with over 400 registered apprenticeship programs for more than 20,000 active apprentices.

For students ages 16-24, youth apprenticeship programs provide pathways to further education or full-time employment. With these “learn while you earn” models, students receive instruction as well as on-the-job training, with many students receiving job offers at the completion of the program.

The state has also rapidly expanded other workforce development programs such as certification programs, custom training programs and sponsored college degrees.

The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program launched in 2021 with the goal of increasing access to good-paying jobs in the trades for historically underrepresented populations. In 2025, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awarded more than $19 million in funding to 38 program recipients serving 1,900 community members statewide.