Service-sector jobs are an increasingly important part of Chicago’s economy. The three industries profiled in this report – hotels, retail, and restaurants – represent nearly 188,000 jobs in the city of Chicago and over 720,000 in the Chicagoland region – nearly one job in five. Beyond this, they are important components of Chicago’s hospitality and tourism infrastructure and key sources of entry-level employment opportunities for individuals with low levels of educational attainment or work experience.
Greg Schrock
An Evaluation of Illinois' JTED Program
This report presents findings from an evaluation of Job Training and Economic Development (JTED), an innovative program unique to Illinois that fosters community-business partnerships for economic and workforce development. Started in 1998 and administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), JTED provides grants to community based organizations (CBOs) to support training programs developed in partnership with local businesses to serve low-income job seekers and low-wage incumbent workers.
Finance and Securities Career Pathways
This report examines career paths and skills crosswalks within the Finance and Insurance Sector (F&I Sector),comprised of the banking, insurance and securities industries. It provides information to assist employers expand their talent pool, individuals identify career opportunities in the sector, and education, training and workforce development organizations respond to the skill needs of employers and individuals.