Latest news with #OneSummerChicago
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
One Summer Chicago: What to know about youth jobs program, how to apply
CHICAGO (WGN) — Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday kicked off the city's summer youth jobs program. 'One Summer Chicago' is a partnership with government, private and non-profit employers to provide paid opportunities and life-skills development to young people between 14 and 24 years old Officials aim for the program this year to fill nearly 29,000 paid positions citywide, an increase of 1,000 from last year when roughly 51,000 people applied. 'After two consecutive years of expanded youth employment, I am proud to announce that we are aiming to give one thousand more young people a paycheck and a purpose this summer through One Summer Chicago,' the mayor said in a written statement. 'We believe in our young people and we want to see them thrive.' On the campaign trail, candidate Johnson vowed to double the size of the program. He's increased it while in office, but it's still short of the 31,552 Chicago employed in 2019. The program last year employed 27,793. As the mayor tries to grow the program, he's connecting it to his community safety efforts. 'There's a direct correlation between communities that have W2s and safe environments,' he said. 'The safest cities in America all have one thing in common: they invest in people, and we're already seeing the return on the investments.' The city directly employs 183 young people, 70 of whom are part of the Laborer's Trainees Program where they're assigned to Streets and Sanitation. 'Though the work might be physically demanding, I find fulfilment in knowing that my efforts make a real difference in people's daily lives,' said Darion Wiley, a trainee who attended the kick-off at Uplift Community High School in Uptown and was among several who shared their experiences. Those aged 16-24 will be asked to work 20 hours per week and make nearly $17 per hour. Teens aged 14 and 15, who aren't old enough to work, can participate in a career exploration program and receive a weekly stipend. Applications are now available on with the deadline for submissions set for May 30. Those selected will begin their jobs on June 23 and end August 1. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
11-03-2025
- Business
- CBS News
1,000 more positions for young people set to come to One Summer Chicago program this year
While winter is not over yet, Chicago is already planning for summer jobs for young people. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Tuesday kicked off the One Summer Chicago campaign with an ambitious goal. "We're prepared to hire 29,000 young people," Mayor Johnson said at Uplift Community High School, 900 W. Wilson Ave., in announcing this year's campaign. "That's 1,000 more positions this year." The program works with local businesses, nonprofits, and city agencies to identify paid positions for teens and young people ages 14 to 24. The jobs are for at least six weeks over the summer. Participants say it is a way to test out some possible career options while earning a little extra cash. Positions are available in communities across the city. The One Summer Chicago program is a partnership between the Mayor's office, the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services, the Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Park District, the Chicago Housing Authority, the Chicago Transit Authority, City Colleges of Chicago, and community and corporate partners. There are three interconnected programs that make up One Summer Chicago. The Chicago Youth Service Corps employs people ages 16 to 24 year-round through programming focused on both leadership development and civic engagement. Chicagobility employs 14- and 15-year-olds through project-based learning and skill-building. The Summer Youth Chicago Employment Program employs people ages 16 to 24 through job placement or training programs geared toward developing career pathways.
Chicago Tribune
21-02-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
CPS skilled trades recruitment event sparks interest in career pathways for high school juniors, seniors
Over a thousand Chicago Public Schools students gathered at Hire360's center on the Near South Side Thursday to attend a skilled trades recruitment event, exposing them to postsecondary pathways other than traditional four-year colleges and universities. As part of an ongoing collaborative effort with city agencies, City Colleges of Chicago and labor and corporate partners, the district has been working to connect students with trades career paths, allowing them to explore potential career opportunities following graduation. 'This important collaboration between the District and our many partners helps bring to life various fields of study and how they can be applied in college and career opportunities,' CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said in a news release. 'Their success benefits not only themselves and their families but our workforce and city.' When crafting this event, CPS Chief of College and Career Success Megan Hougard said they wanted to provide students who are interested in pursuing a career in trades after graduation the equivalent of a college visit. This is the fourth year the skilled trades event has been held, Hougard said, and the previously larger event is now broken down into four events over the course of a month allowing students the chance to explore career paths in a smaller, more personal setting. Hosted by Hire360 Thursday morning, the first of the four events focused on renewable energy and solar jobs. The remaining three events will touch on plumbing and carpentry, as well as one event titled 'Putting Chicago to Work' that will cover several career paths. 'HIRE360 is thrilled to host the first of these skilled trades recruitment events at our new Training and Business Development Center,' Jay Rowell, the organization's executive director, said in a news release. 'This partnership is about more than just one event — it's about creating lasting opportunities for students to explore rewarding careers in the trades.' The event, open to high school juniors and seniors interested in the trades, introduced students to career opportunities at Peoples Gas, ComEd and a lab where students can submit a One Summer Chicago application to explore other employment opportunities throughout Hire360. Hands-on demonstrations where students repaired gas pipes and learned about solar panels helped them get a better grasp of the work that employees perform in the field. Adriel Castillo, a junior at Roosevelt High School in Albany Park, said he's begun exploring pathways following graduation and is weighing several options such as college, the Army and possibly a career in trades. Thankful for the opportunity to learn about different opportunities available to him in the city, Castillo said his interest has been sparked by some of the programs at the event. '(The event) shows more opportunities, as my parents don't have that,' Castillo said. 'They want me to explore different options. My counselors want me to look into different options as well as different pathways, and here I was able to learn.' For other students, the ability to attend events like these has allowed them to solidify their paths following graduation. Senebia Hodges, a senior at Simeon Career Academy in Chatham, is planning to pursue carpentry in a couple of months, following graduation. While she was previously considering attending a four-year college, she realized she wanted to do something more hands-on. 'My carpentry teacher, Mr. Rowsey, he really inspired me,' Hodges said. 'He really drove me to want to do this. He's introduced us to so many trade skills fairs like this, and this is what motivates me to go into carpentry.' Going to school, Hodges said the idea of college is primarily pushed on students, leaving her and others who'd like to pursue trades feeling excluded. By being able to attend these events, Hodges said it opens up the possibilities of what students can pursue after high school and doesn't limit them to 'stay in one box.' Attending the event Thursday, Hodges said it's empowering to see the various career paths and adults in attendance educating students on what's available to them. 'It makes me want to do (carpentry) more, especially with more people of color that are in the trade,' Hodges said. 'I love that, and I love how they put this together.'
