Free Vocational Training In Chicago

 

This is part two of a series covering some of the resources and opportunities that are available to those living in Chicago. Part 1: Free Adult Bike Lessons/Free Bikes

Today we are looking at some of the vocational opportunities that are available. This is not a program I have first hand knowledge about so I'm going off their website (so if interested please contact them to make sure they have kept their website updated)

Workforce Equity Initiative

City Colleges of Chicago offers a Workforce Equity Initiative to improve employment outcomes across Chicago’s black, unemployed, and underemployed residents. 

City Colleges of Chicago is proud to present a variety of educational opportunities designed to improve employment outcomes across Chicago’s black, unemployed, and underemployed residents. We are offering tuition-free training in high-demand fields to help people in these communities find fulfilling jobs in less than one year.

Eligible students can enroll in any one of the areas of study below and receive supportive services in addition to free tuition and books. Services and program specifics may vary by college but generally include: 

Full tuition coverage throughout the duration of your studies
Job training and skills development
Childcare and transportation assistance
Employability skills (collaboration, communication, problem-solving) development
Job placement assistance

These areas of study/training are funded by the Illinois Community College Board’s Workforce Equity Initiative Grant, which aims to support working African Americans in Illinois.

For more information call 773-COLLEGE.

PROJECT EVOLVE at Olive-Harvey College

Project Evolve offers scholarships for select short-term transportation, distribution, and logistics programs. You could earn a basic certificate and become job-ready in 3 semesters or less! Eligible students from across the city can enjoy free tuition, individualized counseling, and supportive services to help them find a great job in a high-demand or up-and-coming industry. Designed to increase equity among Chicago’s neighborhoods, Project Evolve will provide special consideration to black, African-American, unemployed, and/or underemployed residents of the city’s far southeast side.

PROJECT MPACT at Malcolm X College

Certificates Available:

Basic Nursing Assistant (BNA), Community Health Worker, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), EMT-Paramedic, Medical Assistant, Medical Billing, Medical Coding, Patient Care, Technician, Personal Fitness Trainer, Pharmacy Technician, Phlebotomy, Physical Therapist Assistant, Practical Nursing, Sterile Processing, Child Development

Wright JobHire at Wilbur Wright College

Wright JobHire allows the college to provide full tuition coverage for qualified students accepted into the following fields of study:   

CNC Machining, Cybersecurity, Networking, Web Development, Criminal Justice, Cannabis Processing Technician, Solar Panel Installation

WEI Scholars at Kennedy-King College

The WEI Scholars program supports students in the following short-term programs:

Automotive (Basic or Advanced Certificate), Commercial Refrigeration (Basic Certificate), Combination Welding (Basic Certificate), Construction Masonry (Basic Certificate), Cyber Security Technology (Advanced Certificate). Construction Carpentry (Basic Certificate), Domestic Refrigeration (Basic Certificate), Heating Basic Certificate (Basic Certificate), HVAC (Basic or Advanced Certificate), Overhead Electrical Line Worker (Advanced Certificate), Plumbing and Fire Protection (Basic Certificate)

Technology Works at Daley College

The Technology Works Scholarship at Richard J. Daley College prepares eligible students for careers in advanced manufacturing by providing them with access to hands-on training and related support services, including tuition, books, and supplies. Students will gain the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in high-demand occupations, such as CNC machining, welding, and factory automation/industrial maintenance.