Building Capacity, Creating Impact: Q4 Training Highlights
At the Chicago Jobs Council (CJC), empowering workforce practitioners is at the core of creating systemic change. In Q4 FY2025, we delivered 22 impactful training sessions—12 public and 10 customized—on topics like trauma-informed care, AI in workforce development, and career readiness. These sessions welcomed 319 unique participants, filling over 290 seats, and fostered transformative learning experiences that inspired practitioners to adopt new strategies and tools for their work.
Conflict Resolution For Creating & Sustaining Inclusive Workplaces: In-person Training.
Our public sessions engaged 129 registrants, with 106 attendees, and our customized trainings engaged 218 registrants, with 185 attendees. Practical tools like the Wheel of Life and coaching strategies were among the highlights, with one attendee sharing, “The coaching tips and reflection exercises helped me build stronger relationships with youth.” Trainings like Trauma-Informed Care stood out, with 81.8% of participants applying what they learned in their roles. Our inaugural AI webinar introduced tools like Perplexity and Gemini, equipping workforce professionals to navigate the evolving labor market with confidence.
In addition to public offerings, CJC has been a trusted partner in delivering tailored training for organizations. This quarter, we completed three of seven sessions for LISC National and two customized programs for All Chicago, with additional sessions planned through December. We also facilitated specialized training for National Able Network and North Lawndale Employment Network, reaching diverse audiences across the workforce development field.
Our commitment to innovation was evident in groundbreaking sessions like Designing with Dignity: Crafting Workforce Solutions for a Changing World. This was our first training focused on applying an Anti-Racist Framework (ARF), drawing participants from as far as Medellin, Colombia. The session inspired a participant to commit to reviewing all future training materials through an Anti-Racist lens, demonstrating the immediate and global impact of this work.
Looking ahead, CJC is expanding its reach with the launch of a new e-learning platform led by our first E-learning Specialist, Torelen Winbush. By summer’s end, we aim to upload three foundational workforce development trainings, offering accessible, on-demand learning for organizations onboarding new staff. With 97.6% of participants recommending our trainings, we remain inspired by their resilience and innovation, committed to building a more equitable workforce ecosystem.
Strengthening Service Delivery: Insights from IDHS SNAP and E&T Training
Coordinating statewide training for IDHS SNAP and Employment & Training (E&T) providers has been both insightful and impactful, with over 92% of participants reporting high satisfaction. These sessions are valued not just for clarifying policies and procedures but for offering practical tools, peer connection, and a supportive learning environment. Topics like case note improvement, eligibility navigation, and coaching strategies have proven especially relevant to frontline staff, helping them deliver more client-centered and compliant services.
CJC IDHS Team: Shterna and Lesia at the 44th Annual Meeting.
The trainings have enhanced provider capacity, improved program outcomes, and supported staff well-being—addressing burnout, boundaries, and trauma-informed care. Looking ahead, we aim to engage more IDHS-approved providers and foster greater interaction during sessions. Encouraging open feedback will be key to shaping future content that truly meets the evolving needs of those serving clients every day.
