Cook County Commissioners approved an agreement on Mar. 22 to launch a pilot program providing paid internships for young adults in high-growth industries, according to a statement from President Toni Preckwinkle.
The initiative aims to help young people ages 16-24 from suburban Cook County who face barriers to employment, come from income-eligible households, or live in areas with high unemployment or poverty. The program is designed to offer career pathways and support services while addressing workforce needs in sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, distribution and logistics, and information technology.
The agreement establishes a partnership between the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership and the County’s Bureau of Economic Development and Department of Transportation and Highways. The initial investment totals $1 million, with $500,000 coming from the Department of Transportation and Highways and the remainder from other county offices or funds under the president. The goal is to create a sustainable public-private partnership that can expand over time by seeking additional external resources.
“This new program will provide young adults with paid internships that include industry-informed training or work experience in high-growth/high-demand sectors of our economy, including manufacturing; transportation, distribution and logistics; and information technology,” President Preckwinkle said.
Internships will last at least seven weeks during the summer at private sector businesses. The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership will collaborate with service providers to hire mentors, identify employers, recruit participants, serve as liaison between employers and interns, and oversee work assignments. Karin M. Norington-Reaves, CEO of The Partnership, said: “Young adults are often defined by their challenges. We want to create a generation of professionals who are defined by their talents. This initiative is a step in that direction, allowing us to work with community-based service providers and partner with employers to expose young people to careers they may have never considered and businesses to talent that they might have otherwise missed.”
According to the Great Cities Institute, more than 45,000 youth aged 16-24 in suburban Cook County are neither employed nor enrolled in school. Most reside in the south and west suburbs; these regions will be prioritized for participation.
Preckwinkle emphasized that long-term success requires more than short-term work experience: “That is why this program is structured to also provide participants with support services such as mentoring, leadership development, transportation assistance and career exploration activities,” she said. “The program will also help youth develop longer-term career goals and identify resources to achieve their education and employment goals after the program ends.” She added: “Engaging ‘opportunity youth’ in our workforce supports what I have often said: One of the best ways we can keep young people out of the justice system is to find them a job.”
