Success Stories
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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.
Alejandro
Alejandro H. (pictured right) joined a three-week Level Up Bridge Program when he’d lost his job while supporting a family of five. With approximately seven years of experience in manufacturing and warehouse operations, Alejandro enrolled in a Calumet Area Industrial Commission (CAIC) program in The Partnership’s network to advance his skills. In May of this year, Alejandro started his new role as an Electric Assembler at Gotion High-Tech, earning $24 per hour. This new position not only provides him with financial stability but also offers opportunities for further growth and development within the organization.
Manufacturing Sector
Illinois, a significant player in the manufacturing industry, boasts more than 14,000 manufacturers and a workforce of over 735,000, solidifying its position as one of the largest industrial states in the U.S. Approximately half of the Chicago region’s manufacturing jobs are located in Cook County, with about 16% in the City of Chicago. Over the past program year, manufacturers posted more than 45,000 jobs in Cook County, a testament to the robust manufacturing sector.
Barrett
Barrett M. participated in OAI’s Electro-Mechanical Technician program funded by a Job Training and Economic Development Program (JTED) grant from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. OAI is a part of The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership’s network.
Barrett has always been interested in robotics and learning how machines work. He had been laid off from a sales position when he saw a posting online describing OAI’s Electro-Mechanical Technician training program. During the 2-month program, he learned mechanical and electrical skills and earned the Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute (PMMI) certification. Barrett is now a Maintenance Technician at Sam’s Club, earning more than $36 per hour.
“I have achieved what I wouldn’t have thought possible when I started. I met my wonderful classmates and friends I will never forget. I am a maintenance technician with an above-market pay rate now. I am so grateful for this opportunity to thrive in this career path,” said Barrett.
Mondelez International
Over the past program year, The Partnership placed nearly 500 career seekers in roles in the Manufacturing sector, with an average hourly wage of more than $23.46. The Partnership allocates funds for On-the-Job Apprenticeships (OJT) and Incumbent Worker training in this sector, working with more than 150 employers and training 250 employees. One such OJT partner is Mondelez International, one of the world’s largest producers of snack foods. Mondelez has received more than $100,000 in Partnership allocation of OJT funding in the Chicago area.