An Illinois Not-for-Profit Corporation Federal 501(c)(3) Status Pending

Workforce training and job placement

Building Skills and Creating Pathways to Employment

First Family and Child Services plans to help South Side residents prepare for careers, strengthen job-readiness skills, connect with training opportunities, and pursue interviews with participating employers. Services will combine career planning, practical training, placement assistance, case management, and supportive resources.

Career planning and case management

A Plan Built Around Each Participant

Each participant may begin with an intake and career assessment to identify interests, experience, barriers, and employment goals. A workforce navigator or case manager can help create an individualized plan, monitor progress, coordinate referrals, and connect the participant with appropriate training and support.

  • Career-interest and skills assessments
  • Individual employment and training plans
  • One-on-one case management and progress check-ins
  • Referrals to education, credential, apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship opportunities
  • Help addressing barriers that may interfere with training or employment
Planned workforce advising room with a staff member and a participant reviewing materials at a table.

Industry training pathways

Training Connected to Growing Career Fields

Planned workforce programming may include introductory training, career exploration, referrals, and partner-delivered instruction in fields that offer practical pathways to employment. Training will depend on available instructors, funding, facilities, employer needs, and confirmed education and industry partnerships.

  • HVAC and building-energy systems
  • Electrical and clean-energy careers
  • Construction and skilled trades
  • Installation, maintenance, and repair
  • Utilities and infrastructure
  • Manufacturing
  • Professional services and related career pathways

Where appropriate and available, program planning may align with Clean Jobs career clusters that include Construction; Utilities; Installation, Maintenance and Repair; Manufacturing; and Professional Services. First Family is not an approved Clean Jobs training provider.

Job readiness and interview support

Ready for the Interview, and for the Job

Participants may receive practical assistance preparing for employment and presenting their skills confidently to employers. The goal is to help qualified participants move from training into real interview and hiring opportunities.

  • Resume and cover-letter development
  • Online job-search and application assistance
  • Interview coaching and mock interviews
  • Workplace communication and professional-readiness training
  • Employer introductions, hiring events, and interview referrals when available
  • Follow-up support after interviews and during the transition into employment
Planned computer training room set up for job-search and application support.

Education and employer connections

Connected to Employers, Colleges, and Training Providers

First Family and Child Services plans to work with participating companies, workforce organizations, training providers, community colleges, universities, unions, and apprenticeship programs to connect residents with instruction, credentials, interviews, and employment opportunities. Organizations will be identified as affiliates or partners only after a written relationship has been confirmed.

Supportive services

Practical Help While You Train

Workforce services will be coordinated with family-resource support so participants can address practical barriers while pursuing training and employment.

Depending on eligibility, funding, and partner availability, assistance may include childcare navigation, transportation referrals, work clothing or tools, technology access, public-benefit navigation, housing resources, and connections to other social services.

Workforce interest list

Take the Next Step Toward Training and Employment

The workforce program is still being developed. Join the interest list to receive updates about training pathways, orientations, eligibility, employer events, and enrollment. Participation does not guarantee admission to training, an interview, a credential, or employment.

Join the Workforce Interest List

Contact us

Get in Touch

Questions about programs, partnerships, or the project? We would be glad to hear from you.