Celebrating the City of Chicago Laborer – Trainee Apprenticeship Program

The City of Chicago is commemorating the 10th Anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week by celebrating the success of its Laborer – Trainee Apprenticeship Program. In June 2024, under the direction of Mayor Brandon Johnson, the City of Chicago’s Department of Human Resources and Department of Streets and Sanitation partnered with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and LIUNA-1001 Laborers to develop and implement a General Laborer – Trainee Apprenticeship Program. This 12-week on-the-job training opportunity provided 70 CPS graduating students with job skills and safety training necessary to promote a productive and efficient workforce. Participants achieved union bidder rights during the apprenticeship and upon successfully completing the program were offered the opportunity to bid on permanent Laborer vacancies. 55 of the 70 General Laborer Trainees were hired full-time.