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CONTRACTORS: Call Skill Builders For Qualified City Residents For Your Construction Projects |
Some contractors tell us it isn't easy to find enough qualified workers who live in the city. At the same time, we know there are Chicagoans who would love to have these jobs. That is why I created Skill Builders, a program to help city residents qualify for this work. - Mayor Richard M. Daley
We prepare Skill Builders to work for you. Graduates are ready to work on construction sites as useful, productive employees. As Chicago residents, Skill Builders will help you meet your hiring requirements on municipal projects, though you are free to assign these workers to any jobs that are available.
The Skill Builders Program
Designed to increase the number of Chicagoans who begin solid careers in the construction field, the Skill Builders training program:
- prepares participants for taking apprenticeship tests;
- provides participants with up-to-date information on apprenticeship requirements and openings;
- presents critical construction work related topics in the classroom; and
- offers counseling on the trades for which participants are best suited;
Skill Builders participants attend a 14-week program - Monday through Thursday, from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., each week. Classes are held at various City Colleges of Chicago facilities.
Classes are taught by qualified instructors who provide practical and useful information, as well as mentoring. Guest speakers visit the class to present an array of topics, and class trips to construction sites and apprenticeship programs also are provided to increase students' understanding of the various trades.
The curriculum for the program was developed by a team of experts, including:
- union apprenticeship coordinators;
- Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council;
- Mayor's Office of Workforce Development; and
- City Colleges of Chicago
In addition to learning the skills to pass apprenticeship exams, each Skill Builders participant must demonstrate basic job-holding abilities, such as:
- punctuality
- appropriate dress
- reliability
Each Skill Builder has been interviewed and screened, using criteria that matches those of union apprenticeship programs, and each participant has passed a physical examination.
Skill Builders staff continues to monitor and mentor graduates even after they are hired. You can be assured that we continue to monitor because Skill Builders is interested in the continued progress of its alumni.
Let's work together putting Chicago residents to work. Call to:
- Sponsor graduates who are waiting acceptance into apprenticeship programs; and
- Hire a Skill Builder as an apprentice on your team
To hire or sponsor a Skill Builder, or for more information, call us at: (312) 744-9642.
Skill Builders has proven its ability to successfully screen and train people for apprenticeship programs. We are pleased with the graduates we already have hired and intend to keep using Skill Builders as an employment resource. - Daniel J. Walsh, Walsh Construction
We look forward to Skill Builders providing us with a steady source of qualified city-resident employees to work on our construction projects. - Riteway Construction Company
Skill Builders has been successful in providing us with applicants who have passed our entrance test. We have many Skill Builders graduates in our pre-apprenticeship program and some that are currently working as apprentices. We fully support Skill Builders and look forward to receiving more graduates of this fine program. - Douglas Lid, director/coordinator; and, John Drozdek, assistant director; Chicago and Northeast Illinois District Council of Carpenters Apprentice & Training Program
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