Business

Year Up provides young adults with a combination of hands-on skill development, corporate internships with leading companies, a stipend, and access to college credits loan free. During the second half of the program, trainees are placed in internships with local corporate partners.

Timeline: 1 year: six months of courses and six months of a paid internship. Cohorts start twice per year.

Note: Fields include Information Technology, Project Management Support, Sales/Client Services, and Investment Operations.

Stats: 90% of Year Up graduates employed, and over 30 Noble graduates enrolled and graduated!

The Youth Job Center offers a number of services for individuals between the ages of 16 and 26. In YJC's Career Pathways program, participants can earn industry credentials and complete training programs in a variety of different industries through over 40 WIOA approved programs.  Pathways include construction, IT, nursing, auto mechanics, and so much more!  YJC also offers transportation services, tutoring, and financial coaching.

Offers apprenticeship programs in business, IT, manufacturing, and graphic arts. You earn a salary during the program and employers fully cover the cost of an Associate's Degree in a related field!

Timeline: Programs range from 2-3 years.  Students attend classes 2 days a week at Harper College, earning a free Associate's Degree, while participating in a paid apprenticeship 3 days a week.

Re:work offers a free 8-week training program in sales. Participants also have access to job placement support and career coaching.

Timeline: 8 week program, offered on Saturdays and Sundays. 

Note: The program has an 80% job placement rate for graduates.

PODER offers an 8 week banking and finance training program focused on bank compliance regulations, money handling basics, and other essential financial sector skills. The training is in English, but candidates must be bilingual in Spanish.

Timeline: Classes are offered on Monday and Wednesday from 9:15am to 3:15pm for 8 weeks.

Note: Prerequisites include completion of Poder's Career Exploration training. Acceptance to the program also comes with the following commitments on:

• 100% attendance to all trainings and study sessions

• Participation in the Hiring Event

• Acceptance of a job offer from one of their bank partners

PODER offers a 2 week Insurance Licensing program focused preparing students to pass the Illinois Property & Casualty insurance license exam. Students will learn insurance compliance regulations and other essential skills from insurance experts. The training and exam are both in Spanish.

Timeline: Pre-Licensing Seminar: Thursday 9:15am -6:00pm ; Friday 9:15am -7:00pm & Saturday: 9:15am -2:00pm

Note: Prerequisites include completion of Poder's Career Exploration training. Once the pre-licensing seminar training is complete, there are three study sessions to help prepare for the Property and Casualty exams.
Acceptance to the program also comes with the following commitments on:

• 100% attendance to all trainings and study sessions

• Participation in the Hiring Event

• Acceptance of a job offer from one of their agency partners

• Submission of all required documentation celebrating employment milestones

Offers free training, certification, and job placement in Auto, CDL, and Administrative/Office Staff.

The GSU School of Extended learning offers flexible non-degree certification courses in phlebotomy, pharmacy technician, medical billing and coding, paralegal studies, and IT.

Timeline: Programs range from 14 weeks for the paralegal program to 6-12 months for the human resources, entrepreneurship, and certified supply chain professional programs.

Note: Programs are WIOA approved, which covers up to $8,000 for career training. The courses prepare participants for a variety of certifications.