Skills Training
An increasing number of entry-level jobs in local growth industries require technical skills and training that is not widely available through the traditional education system.
Without these skills, it is difficult for job seekers to secure jobs in the fields projected for growth. Employers in these fields report difficulty finding qualified workers, and this skills gap is likely to grow worse in the next 15 years as baby boomers begin to retire. Despite the increased need among employers and job seekers for skills training, funding for training programs has decreased significantly over the past 10 years.
CJC believes that...Job seekers should have access to high quality skills training opportunities that will give them the technical skills they need to obtain decent jobs, especially for occupations within growth industries. Additionally, we believe that the city, state, and federal government should adequately fund programs that will provide job seekers with these skills.
That's why we...Advocate for the expansion of and investment in proven, high-quality training programs that equip job seekers with the skills they will need to compete for good-paying, high-growth jobs. Illinois' Job Training and Economic Development (JTED) program, in which a community-based organization partners with local employers to design and deliver customized skills training for both new and incumbent workers, is one such program that CJC continues to promote.
