Environmental Career Worker Training (ECWT)
The Environmental Careers Worker Training Program (ECWTP) targets community residents who are unemployed or underemployed and are interested in starting a career in environmental remediation, construction or landscaping industries. This program aims to increase sustainable employment opportunities, promote economic development address health disparities, and advance environmental justice for disadvantaged residents living in communities traditionally overburdened by economic distress and exposures to hazardous environmental conditions.
Students have the opportunity to earn more than 12 industry-recognized health and safety-related certifications such as Hazardous Waste handling, OSHA safety, Forklift, and Lead RRP that prepare them for entry-level career paths in environmental remediation and more.



Calumet Green Manufacturing Partnership (CGMP)
The CGMP initiative enhances the manufacturing and logistics industries in the Calumet Region, which encompasses the south side of Chicago and Cook County’s southern suburbs, by addressing the labor/skills mismatch and by promoting careers in manufacturing and logistics to ensure a competitive workforce is a key asset for regional economic development. CGMP builds career advancement pathways for low-skilled/underprepared workers through industry recognized credentialing at local technical Colleges, (Moraine Valley Community College, Prairie State College, Richard J. Daley College, and South Suburban College) and meets employers’ demands. CGMP is an initiative of the Chicago Southland Economic development Corporation.
Some of the training and credentials that can be received through CGMP:
• Welding
• Non-Destructive Training
• Computer Numerical Control/NIMS Certification
Calumet manufacturing careers internship program (cmcip)
This program opens career paths for young adults, ages 18 - 24, in the manufacturing sector. Students are supported through a 4-week Employment Bootcamp, which includes tours of a variety of industrial companies and certification in OSHA, 10-hour general industry, followed by an 8-week paid manufacturing internship.
This initiative is a partnership with Business &Career Services Inc. and the Illinois WORKNet Center.

1,000 Jobs Campaign (1KJ)
The 1000 Jobs Campaign (1KJ) is a collaboration of five host organizations with a goal of placing 1000 job seekers on a career path in manufacturing either through training or direct job placement.
Under the leadership of World Business Chicago, it is an outgrowth of CGMP’s success and extends OAI’s partnership beyond the Southland to the entire metro-Chicago region.
The campaign is a collaboration among industry, government and non-profits to better serve clients and employers. Both clients and employers are linked with a campaign host organization to help resolve their needs. By bringing together this network of training and existing workforce development resources, 1,000 Jobs serves manufacturers and residents through a single point of contact, and at no cost.
If you have manufacturing experience, email your resume to pwilliams@oaiinc.org to begin the screening process.
For more information on any of our manufacturing programs, including enrollment, contact Kreshina Ingram at 708-283-5020 or kingram@oaiinc.org.
Some examples of current positions open include, but are not limited to:
• Machine Operators
• Laborers
• Production (Logistics Warehouse)
• Food Manufacturing
• Welders
• Production Supervisor
• Safety Manager
• Overhead Crane Operators
greEncorps chicago
Greencorps Chicago is the City of Chicago’s green industry job training program for individuals with barriers to employment. Greencorps’ mission is to promote environmental stewardship and improve the quality of life in Chicago by establishing, maintaining and restoring natural and public spaces that are safe, healthy and sustainable through hands-on involvement with trainees.
Each spring, Chicago Greencorps and its partners recruit disadvantaged and hard-to-employ city residents into the green job training program. Trainees are referred to Greencorps through a network of community partners, including social service agencies, community, neighborhood and faith-based organizations, parole officers and recommendations from past graduates.
Trainees receive practical field experience and technical training in a variety of environmentally related jobs while enhancing academic, life and professional skills. Trainees are supported with wrap-around social services and a stable income, increasing their ability to secure full-time employment upon graduation from Greencorps program.


PARTNERS
Greencorps succeeds through an array of public and private partnerships along with strong support from the city, county and community partners. As an Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training Program
(EWDJT) awardee, OAI supports the Greencorps program with health and safety training for courses such as 40 hr Hazwoper, OSHA Safety General Industry, First/Aid CPR, Confined Space, Lock-out/Tag-out, Lead and Asbestos Awareness, Integrated Pest Management and Green Infrastructure training and installation.
how to apply
Recruitment begins each January for training in the Spring.
For information on upcoming trainings and projects please
contact greencorps@cityofchicago.org.