Technology

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!

C4ITA offers participants the opportunity to earn a degree for free while participating in a paid apprenticeship at software engineering companies!  

During the first half of the program, participants take Computer Science courses through the City Colleges of Chicago while working 20 hours a week getting hands on-experience in software engineering. During the second half of the program, participants work full time with C4ITA's company partners.

Timeline: Four years

Paid leadership training and career placement in IT. Those who complete this program become advocates for social justice and leaders in the tech field.

Timeline: 2 years. Must have availability Monday to Friday from 8 am–8 pm for four consecutive months, while honoring a 0 absences/0 tardiness policy. Registration begins a few months in advance of each class session. Cohorts start in April, September, and November.

Note: Must have 6 months (780 hours) of prior work experience.

Stats: 90% of i.c. starts graduates employed, 55% go on to pursue a college degree

Alternate Option: Chi.Codes offers an 11-week free coding bootcamp. More info here!

Apprenti matches aspiring technologists with companies looking to train them. During your apprenticeship through Apprenti, you will get hands on experience in fields like Software Development, Tech Sales, and UX. This is an earn-while-you-learn opportunity which means you will GET PAID as you learn on the job. 

Timeline: In classroom training lasts anywhere from 2-5 months with a one year paid experience at a partner company

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 free programs in Health Information Technology and Manufacturing. 

Timeline: Health Information Technology: 9 months. Manufacturing: 6 months. Cohorts start in April, September, and November; register on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 11 am.

Note: Certifications you earn include Health Information Technology or Advanced Mechanics for Maintenance Technicians.

Stats: 75% of ChiCat graduates employed

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.

Note: Employment is guaranteed during the program.

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 phlebotomy, pharmacy technician, medical billing and coding, and IT programs.

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