Prioritizing Job Quality in Chicago's Sectoral Workforce Initiatives

More than a decade after welfare-to-work, it is an understatement to say that few in the workforce development field believe that “any job is a good job.” Even in the current economic climate, there is a widespread recognition that too few jobs available to less-skilled and disadvantaged workers provide the basis for career advancement and achieving economic self-sufficiency.

Evidence from studies of low-wage workers has shown that work experience alone is not a sufficient condition for individuals to advance; education, skills development, and – importantly – attachment to “good” employers all make a big difference in whether increase their earnings over time.

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Glossary of Workforce Development Terms by Category

Adapted from the Workforce Education Special Collection, this glossary includes public agencies, program types, service delivery locations, populations and general workforce development terms and their definitions.

Finance & Insurance Career Pathways

This report examines career paths and skills crosswalks within the Finance and Insurance Sector, comprised of the banking, insurance and securities industries.

It provides information to assist employers expand their talent pool, individuals identify career opportunities in the sector, and education, training and workforce development organizations respond to the skill needs of employers and individuals.

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Re-working Workforce Development Final Report 2009

Throughout the United States, policy makers and practitioners in the field of workforce development have been examining innovative ways to restructure their service offerings to align them more effectively with the needs of employers, key industry sectors, and local economic development priorities.

In 2005, the City of Chicago, through the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development and the Chicago Workforce Investment Board (CWIB), established two sector-based workforce centers: ManufacturingWorks and ServiceWorks. This report is an evaluation of the effectiveness of those centers.

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Chicago LEADS Quarterly Program Update

In January 2008, Mayor Richard M. Daley established Chicago LEADS (Leading Economic Advancement, Development, and Sustainability) to align workforce development, education and economic development to better meet the needs of Chicago businesses, residents, and communities.

LEADS was launched in response to a convergence of economic forces that were changing the business and employment landscape in our City at that time.

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Career Pathways & Crosswalks in the Hotel, Retail & Restaurant Industries

Service-sector jobs are an increasingly important part of Chicago’s economy.

The three industries profiled in this report – hotels, retail, and restaurants – represent nearly 188,000 jobs in the city of Chicago and over 720,000 in the Chicagoland.

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Toolkit for Building School and Hospital Partnerships

The Toolkit is just one element of a comprehensive and regional approach to meeting the workforce needs within the Chicagoland healthcare industry.

The Chicago Workforce Board developed this toolkit in partnership with the Metropolitan Chicago Healthcare Council and the Chicago Public Schools.

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