Photo of man and woman happily posing with a sign in their hands in front of a step and repeat for Cook County Career Connector. His sign says, "I got the interview!" Her sign says, "I made an offer!" Both signs read, "#ThanksForThePartnership."

Start your success story here!

Since 2012, The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership has been a driving force in empowering residents and transforming communities across Chicago and Cook County. With a network of community partners and a deep commitment to connecting people with meaningful employment, we provide funds to cover training costs and help thousands of residents each year get the skills they need to find the career they want. We work with employer-partners every day, to find the skilled workforce they require to succeed.  The success stories below are just a few examples of the ways our network serves Chicago and Cook County.

Learn how you can create your success story here.

Photo of a smiling young black woman, wearing glasses and a beige coat, holding her certificate from CCLC, a member of The Partnership's network.

Ikioco

Ikioco is a career seeker who enrolled in a Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funded-program with Metropolitan Family Services in The Partnership’s network. She earned her Patient Care Technician Certification at the Chicago Community Learning Center. After studying to be a Certified Nursing Assistant, she’s now a travel nurse and pursuing her dream of becoming a Registered Nurse.

A photo of a group of happy people standing in front of a Northwestern Medicine logo. There are two male employers on the outside of the group holding a sign that says, "I made a great hire!" A man and woman in the middle of the group are wearing black scrubs and hold a sign that reads, "I got the job!"

Northwestern Medicine

The Partnership and Northwestern Medicine have worked together over the past three years. The Partnership and its network have placed 76 regional residents into employment at Northwestern Medicine, including 18 residents in an On-The-Job Training program through the Healthcare Sector Center.  At Northwestern Medicine, the program supports residents in career roles such as Patient Access Specialist, Patient Care Technician, Environmental Services Staff, Patient Escort and Housekeeping.

Photo of smiling man in an orange hard hat and a yellow vest.

Ivan

Like many, Ivan found himself unsure of his career direction during the COVID-19 pandemic.  His father encouraged him to explore the trades as a career option. He entered Crudup Construction’s pre-apprenticeship program, called Hard Hat in Hand, a part of the ConstructionWorks program, powered by the Illinois Tollway. Ivan now looks forward to becoming an electrician.