SKILLS FOR CHICAGO

Credential and career coaching: credential and career coaching (formerly known as career access) program targets unemployed and underemployed participants seeking middle-skill roles, for which they may need an industry-recognized credential including - licenses, certificates, and certifications. This program includes: credential connection - skills works with credentialing partners to recruit individuals who are at or near completion of training, provides individualized job seeker support, and places them into a role aligned with their training. Career pathways - skills provides more intensive support and engages the job seeker before they begin their education and training journey. Through career pathways, skills helps jobseekers enroll in classes with education partners and places them into entry-level roles where they can earn income and gain work experience, ultimately connecting them to a middle-skill job opportunity as they advance or complete education and/or training.

Community based organization collective:the cbo collective (cboc) is a workforce development initiative co-founded by cara collective and skills in 2021. This collaborative of 16 workforce development organizations worked to better connect hiring demand with black and brown talent through a collective workforce development approach. The cboc ended in january 2025. The board of directors determined that the cboc had fulfilled its mission, and the collaboration would continue through existing programs.