Who are we?

The continuing mission of the German American Chamber of Commerce® of the Midwest (GACC Midwest), a 501 (c)(6) organization headquartered in Chicago with a branch office in Michigan, is to promote and assist in the expansion of bilateral trade and investment between Germany and the Midwestern region of the United States. Our organization combines elements of a trade commission, a membership association, and a professional consultancy - quite a unique concept in international trade promotion. Read more about our organization at www.gaccmidwest.org

We are seeking a Business Apprentice to join our team! The Business Apprenticeship Program is a 2-year program that balances on-the-job learning at GACC Midwest with in-school classroom learning at Harold Washington College. This opportunity offers fully sponsored college education while gaining hands-on experience in a professional business environment. We cover tuition, fees and books, a daily school stipend, as well as a salary.

What to expect from the 2-year Business Apprenticeship?

• Our apprenticeship offers a unique opportunity to build a highly transferable set of skills, knowledge and behaviors needed across our business
• Get paid while you get fully trained and coached in all aspects of business and administration:
  • Support our Marketing and Events Team
  • Visit companies with our Membership Team
  • Meet German companies with our Consulting Team
  • Assist the famous Christkindlmarket Chicago during the holiday season
  • Promote our apprenticeship program along with the Apprenticeship Department
• Earn a fully sponsored associate degree in management & marketing from Harold Washington College
• Combine the theoretical knowledge from college with aligned on-the-job training, setting you apart from the competition
• Gain experience by working in a variety of departments and broaden your knowledge of the overall business
• Obtain an international apprenticeship certificate as well as credentials from the US Department of Labor
• Secure a full-time position for a minimum of 2 years upon successful completion of the program

We are looking for individuals who:

• are college ready or have passed their college placement test
• enjoy working in a multi-cultural setting that values teamwork and collaboration
• are problem solvers, can make decisions and prioritize tasks through strong organizational skills
• have an aptitude for learning new things in various departments (accounting, sales, consulting, human resources, events, marketing, etc.)
• have gained initial experience with MS Office

Why GACC Midwest?

In return for the passion and energy you will bring to the function, we will support your apprenticeship all the way and you will be encouraged to fulfil all your potential. You will have access to excellent development opportunities, playing a crucial role in your team, whilst being supported to network and socialize with your peers. Working on meaningful tasks and projects with real implications, you'll take on high levels of responsibility and ownership – applying your knowledge and broadening your skills to add value and deliver real results for our clients and business.

At GACC Midwest, we believe that our benefits should make a difference—to you, your job, today and in the future. We are dedicated to supporting our most valuable asset, our employees!

• 20 paid vacation days
• 14 paid holidays including Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Indigenous Peoples' Day, Thanksgiving Day, plus additional days around Thanksgiving and Year End
• “Unlimited” Sick Day Policy
• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance with multiple plan options and networks (BlueCross / BlueShield HMO, PPO, HSA)
• Employee Life / Spouse Life
• Paid Parental Leave
• Company-paid Life Insurance + (AD&D)/ Spouse AD&D
• Long-Term Disability
• FSA Health Care / FSA Transit
• 401(k) matching with a competitive, discretionary employer contribution
• Bonus plan
• Plus: Work from Home Policy, Flex-Time Policy
• We offer German classes in collaboration with the Goethe Institute

We welcome and encourage diversity in our workforce. GACC Midwest is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regards to race, gender, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. Potential employees are subject to background checks.