Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership

Thank you to everyone who attended this year’s Hospitality Hires Chicago and to the event’s sponsors! We were so thrilled to see a full house of career seekers and employers connecting and investing in their futures and the future of their organizations. Couldn’t attend this event? We have plenty of other opportunities. Launch your new career by visiting LevelUpAJC.org and get connected to an American Job Center.

The 9th annual Hospitality Hires Chicago is here! A huge thank you to all of our sponsors for making this event possible. To our employers and career seekers: we hope today leads to meaningful connections and exciting new opportunities.

Congratulations to Claudia Regalado, our Director of Relationship Management, on five years of service with the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP)! We’re proud to see one of our own team members advancing workforce development at the national level through service on the NAWDP Board. Claudia represents the largest Local Workforce Investment Area in Illinois with excellence. Thank you for your leadership and service!

Join us for the Work, Wellness And a Safer Chicago: A People’s Plan Hiring Fair on Tuesday, June 9. Meet with dozens of ready-to-hire employers in one room, including: ➡️ Aramark ➡️ Chicago Police Department ➡️ Fifth Third Bank ➡️ Northwestern Medicine The event is hosted by the City of Chicago Mayor’s Office of Community Safety, Mayor’s Office of Health & Human Services, City Colleges of Chicago, the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, and SERCO.

Interested in one of the 349 career opportunities available right now? These roles include: ▶️ Nursing Assistants at $12-$23/hr ▶️ Dishwashers at $16-$24/hr ▶️ Computer User Support Specialists $17-$45/hr If you’re ready to take the next step in your career, find your nearest American Job Center at LevelUpAJC.org.

Last but definitely not least, our final Spirit of Hope honoree is The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. 💚 In a moment when stable employment can feel harder than ever to secure, The Partnership has been a steady force—transforming lives across Chicago and suburban Cook County by creating real, direct pipelines to work. Through a network of more than 70 community-based organizations and hundreds of employer-partners and training providers, they don’t just respond to the job market—they help anticipate it, preparing career seekers with the skills and support they need to step confidently into what’s next and helping employers make their next great hire. At Faces of Hope, we’re proud to celebrate their commitment to opportunity, economic mobility, and a future where more Chicagoans and regional career seekers can find not just jobs, but career pathways forward. It’s not too late to get a ticket and celebrate with us! Join the fun on June 11 by grabbing yours at the link below ⬇️

From dishwasher to manager, Mike C.’s career journey is one example of the advancement opportunities the hospitality industry can offer. Mike originally planned to become a high school history teacher. He earned a college degree but, like so many others, entered the workforce during an economic downturn. He began his “second career” as a dishwasher for a food service provider at a major regional hospital. The company quickly recognized his talent, and he rose through the ranks in the finance department. “I see the big picture,” he explains. “It may seem more affordable to buy the least expensive brand of mashed potatoes, but if preparing them requires more labor, they may not actually be the most cost-effective choice.” Today, Mike serves as a Regional Finance Manager overseeing operations across multiple states. Bravo, Mike!

Join The Partnership and help strengthen our region’s workforce and economy. We’re currently hiring for: 👉 Controller 👉 Data and Performance Analyst 👉 Program Compliance Specialist 👉 Finance Compliance Monitor 👉 Manager of Training and Support Learn more about these opportunities and apply today: https://lnkd.in/g3X3tZ-s

Meet dozens of ready-to-hire employers — all in one room! Hospitality Hires Chicago is on May 28 at The Palmer House, a Hilton Hotel. Register now: chicookworks.org/hhc

We are thrilled to share that LevelUpAJC.org has had more than 100,000 views, connecting career seekers and employers to The Partnership’s network. Join the thousands who have knocked on our network’s “virtual front door” to take the next step in their career or find that next great hire! Visit 👉 LevelUpAJC.org