Community Resources | Skills for Chicagoland's Future

Energy Equity Illinois Energy Workforce Equity Portal

The Energy Workforce Equity Portal is an online source designed to help connect clean energy companies with equity eligible persons looking to work in the clean energy sector in Illinois. Making these connections is a key aspect of ensuring that the clean energy industry in Illinois grows in an equitable manner.

Equity Eligible Persons can use this portal to post their availability to entities seeking to hire Equity Eligible Persons, and developers of clean energy projects (such as Approved Vendors and Designees in the Adjustable Block Program, or developers of utility-scale wind and solar projects) can use this portal to post clean energy jobs and to search for Equity Eligible Persons.

PODER PODER

PODER empowers individuals with the necessary academic tools to promote human dignity, increase employment potential, and facilitate participation in the larger community.

Since 1997, PODER’s objective has been to empower Spanish-speaking adult immigrants to create successful and fulfilling new lives in the United States. Through a deep commitment to the needs of the immigrant communities on Chicago’s southwest side, PODER provides critical societal and workforce integration services with both immediate and long-term impact for families, communities, and employers throughout the City of Chicago.

YWCA Chicago Fifty+

FIFTY+ is a program specifically designed to help women age 50 and older enter or re-enter the workforce. Research shows that older women face special challenges in their job search. But we also know that age plus experience equals success!

The program is offered monthly to cohorts of 10-15 women who meet twice per week for two weeks. Through a targeted mix of intensive coaching and training, participants will identify areas of career interest, update their resumes, practice interviewing skills, learn or improve computer skills, and develop a plan for finding work and establishing careers.

Endeleo Institute TRIO Adult (EOC) Educational Opportunity Center

The Endeleo Institute has been awarded a TRIO Education Opportunities Centers (EOC) grant by the US Department of Education. Until now, their focus was on K-12 grades, but they are now equipped to assist qualified children and adults.

The adult TRIO (EOC) program provides educational counseling and guidance on college and trade school enrollment to qualified Chicago area adults 19 years or older, who desire to enter or continue a program of post-secondary education at no cost.

The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Hospitality Opportunity for People (Re)Entering Society (HOPES)

The NRAEF HOPES project is a reentry projects grant from the U.S. Department of Labor to support justice-involved young people through training, employment and apprenticeships in the restaurant and foodservice industry. HOPES uses a “community collaborative model” in which key stakeholder groups work together to successfully provide justice-involved adults with the skills, competencies, and industry credentials needed to secure gainful employment in the restaurant and foodservice industry and, ultimately, advance using registered apprenticeships.

Harry S Truman College WIOA Funding The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is a federal program which provides training for people who are out of work, who need training to change career paths or whose skills need improving in order to obtain a new job. Browse all programs offered through Harry S Truman College that quality for WIOA and contact them for more information.

Greencorps Chicago Green Industry Employment Opportunity Greencorps is a green industry employment and training opportunity for individuals with barriers to employment. The city-wide program offers 7-9 months of employment and on-the-job training in ecological restoration, green infrastructure, tree care, and landscaping. Training happens both in the classroom and in the field with the Chicago Park District, the Forest Preserve District of Cook County, and other project partners.

Central States SER Adult Programs SERCO provides employment assistance and occupational job training to Cook County residents. The workforce development center provides eligible clients with labor market counseling, career coaching, interview skills training, and resume development.

Chicago Urban League Program Directory Chicago Urban League offers a variety of programs to ensure access to quality eduaction and prepares you for work at all levels.

Chicago Urban League Events Browse Chicago Urban League's upcoming events.

CompTIA Tech Career Academy Launch Your Tech Career CTCA will help you land—and succeed in—an IT job. Our partners train students with little-to-no information technology experience and give you the technical and soft skills to launch your career.

Greater West Town Community Development Project Employment Assistance Program The Greater West Town CDP works to place candidates with hundreds of local companies. Free services provided include skills assessments, resume assistance and interview skills, job readiness coaching, job placement, and follow-up support.

i.c.stars Tech Training Program Participants gain hands-on training building web-based applications to solve client challenges – with coding, business, and leadership instruction provided along the way.

Instituto del Progreso Latino Employment & Supportive Services Our partners have created an extensive network of industry representatives and employers to create career pathways and secure quality job placements for their students.

Instituto del Progreso Latino Events Instituto provides a diverse range of programming for those in the Latino community who want to further their education and career goals. Check out their list of events here.

Jane Addams Resource Center Job Training Programs JARC's Careers in Manufacturing Programs provide free job training and job placement services that can help you find employment with skills in Computer Numerical Control (CNC), welding, and more.

Metropolitan Family Services Young Fathers Job Success This program helps fathers become financially self-sufficient through job readiness training and placement, money management training, parent education, and co-parenting counseling.

National Latino Education Institute Infrastructure Training The National Latino Education Institute provides qualified candidates with access to training and jobs in construction and related fields.

North Lawndale Employment Network U-Turn Permitted NLEN's four-week job readiness training program for men and women who have a felony background

North Lawndale Employment Network Moving Forward NLEN specializes in career-pathway training within the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics (TDL) industry through its Moving Forward program.

Phalanx Family Services Adult Services Phalanx Family Services adult division provides employment readiness, vocational training, job placement, crisis prevention, and wrap-around supportive services to populations 24 years and older.

Phalanx Family Services Wraparound Services Phalanx Family Services offers wrap-around services to help overcome financial barriers as individuals transition into work activity, training, and employment.

Skills for Chicagoland's Future 5 Ways to Stay Organized While Applying to Multiple Jobs Looking for work can feel like a full-time job. Here are tips for staying organized as you balance multiple applications and interviews.

Skills for Chicagoland's Future How to Prepare for Your Job Interview You'e made it through your interview with Skills, and you're now on to your interview with the company's hiring manager. Skills has you covered with advice and tips to help you prepare.

Skills for Chicagoland's Future Dos and Don’ts for Your Next Interview It's interview day! This is your time shine by putting everything you'e prepped into practice. The Skills team shares what to do—and what not to do—the day of your interview to be successful.

Skills for Chicagoland's Future Dress to Impress at Your Next Job Interview First impressions last forever! Find tips and advice on how to present yourself and your experience through your interview wardrobe choices.

Skills for Chicagoland's Future Top Job Search Mistakes Candidates Make Learn how you can outshine the competition by avoiding common mistakes applicants make during a job search.

Skills for Chicagoland's Future Tips & Tricks for Acing Your Phone Screening Skills begins the interview process with a phone screening, and qualified candidates are then connected to our hiring partners. Hear from our recruiters on how you can stand out during your interview!

Skills for Chicagoland's Future 3 Types of Questions to Ask Your Interviewer Almost every interview will end with an opportunity for you to ask your questions. You should always have questions ready that show you are prepared and understand the position.

Skills for Chicagoland's Future Head to Your Local Chicago Public Library Branch for Job Resources Local libraries are an integral part of neighborhoods, and they have many resources focused on applying to jobs and building job skills.

Skills for Chicagoland's Future How Unemployed Independent Contractors Can Land Jobs If you are part of the "gig economy" and interested in growing your career with a permanent position, learn how you can transfer your skills to succeed.

West Side Forward Career Training West Side Forward organization offers programs and services to help you start the business of your dreams.

Youth Guidance Project Prepare®

For more than 30 years, Project Prepare^® has helped students focus on the development of current and future career interests. The program, offered to juniors and seniors at three Chicago high schools, pairs youth with Career Specialists who guide them through individualized activities and coach them on developing job readiness skills.