Photo collage of happy people posing in front of a step and repeat. Many of them are celebrating receing job offers or job interviews. There is a also young man celebrating his Opportunity Works internship completion.

The Partnership is the non-profit umbrella organization that operates a network of more than 70 community-based organizations in Chicago and suburban Cook County.  The Partnership’s network provides job training, career coaching and resume assistance in the following high-growth and high-demand industries:

  • Business and Professional Services
  • Healthcare
  • Retail, Culinary, and Hospitality
  • Information Technology
  • Manufacturing
  • Transportation, Distribution, and Logistics
  • Construction

Get Connected to an American Job Center and Get Funding for the Training You Need

What is an American Job Center?

There are ten American Job Centers (AJC) in The Partnership’s network in Chicago and suburban Cook County. An AJC serves as the front door to the network, offering free services to youth and adults of all ages. If you are starting a career or want to make a career change, the teams at the AJCs are here to help. Free services include: access to computers, Wifi, phones and printers; job search assistance; interview preparation and resume writing; unemployment insurance application assistance and more.

Retro video game style graphic. "Level Up at an American Job Center." In shiny gold coins: Mentoring, Financial Literacy, Skills Training, Resume Assistance, Interview Preparation, Unlock your dream career!

How do I get dollars to pay fort training?

Pursuant to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) requirements, occupational training is provided free of charge through Individual Training Accounts (ITAs) to regional career seekers.

What is an ITA?
An ITA is a tuition voucher that eligible residents can use to cover the cost of training to earn industry-recognized credentials, certifications, or degrees from training providers in The Partnership’s network. Depending on the field, ITAs can fund up to $8,000 in tuition. In Program Year 2023, The Partnership invested more than $16.1 million in more than 2,900 ITAs. Of those who received an ITA, more than 76% completed the training and 76% secured employment
What about apprenticeships?
Apprenticeship programs are a great way to get a career started. The Partnership aligns its apprenticeship efforts with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program, expanding beyond traditional trades to non-traditional industries nationwide. In the past program year, The Partnership received an ‘Apprenticeship Illinois’ grant to promote the benefits of apprenticeship models to regional employers, helping them build talent pipelines. During the same period, 40 career seekers enrolled in certified apprenticeship programs, with participation expected to grow across all industries.

So what can I do to get more information?

Fill out the form below to get connected to the AJC services described on this page.

Connect to an American Job Center

Conéctese con un Centro Americano de Empleos