Jobs to Move America
Get Updates Donate

Chicago Federation of Labor and JMA receive $4 million award for workforce development in Chicago

The Chicago Federation of Labor Workforce and Community Initiative and Jobs to Move America (JMA) are excited to announce they were part of a team that has received a $4 million award to focus on manufacturing workforce development in Chicago.

The America’s Promise Grant from the U.S. Department of Labor presents a unique opportunity to further the goals of JMA and the CFL Initiative by investing in recruitment and training in manufacturing for communities who need it the most.

The grant will open the door to training for workers historically underrepresented in the manufacturing sector, including women, African-Americans, Latinos, veterans, formerly incarcerated and long-term unemployed individuals. The grant will serve over 700 people, helping approximately 75 percent of them receive training and good jobs at regional companies. The remaining 25 percent will be able to upgrade their skills on the job for a chance to advance in their careers.

“We are doing more than simply administering job training. We are empowering workers that are traditionally undervalued by providing the 21st-century skills that are required for a sustainable, productive career in manufacturing. Moreover, through the America’s Promise Grant, Chicago is setting the precedent for collaborative and mutually beneficial partnerships between workers, employers and communities.” Jorge Ramirez, President of the CFL Initiative.

The Calumet Manufacturing Initiative, which was awarded the grant, includes the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, the Calumet Area Industrial Commission, Daley College, Prairie State College, IBEW and SMART among others. JMA’s role in this grant includes sector strategy development, employer engagement, and career pathway development.

“We are excited to be a partner of the Calumet Manufacturing Initiative and look forward to seeing this four-year investment result in a long-term change for the community,” said Jake Williams, Senior Workforce Development Coordinator for JMA.

Associated Resources

Local Opportunities Coalition comment in response to Office of Management and Budget’s Request for Information

The Local Opportunities Coalition and supporting partners wrote a comment in response to the Office of Management and Budget’s Request for Information on how the Uniform Guidance can be updated or revised to give state and local recipients of federal financial assistance more tools to create good jobs and promote greater racial and gender equity …

Resource Types:
  • Good Jobs Policies
  • Policy + Programs

Job Quality and Community Well-Being in Mississippi and Alabama’s Manufacturing Facilities

Many elected officials and business groups throughout the South have touted the use of tax breaks and other government policies and subsidies to attract new manufacturing facilities as one of the best ways to address the region’s high poverty and unemployment problems. This report evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of that argument by examining dimensions …

Resource Types:
  • Reports & Policy Briefs

JMA Alabama Learning Trip

Join Jobs to Move America in May 2023 for a transformative trip through Alabama, the center of the civil rights movement the growing Black-led worker justice movement.  Download the resource linked on the left to learn more and see pricing.

Local and Economically-Targeted Hire Brochure

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will bring $1.2 trillion to states and cities over the next 5 years for new and existing infrastructure–a once in a generation opportunity. For the first time, local and economically targeted hire on transportation projects is allowed without prior approval. This printable brochure details how communities can take advantage …

en English
af Afrikaanssq Albanianam Amharicar Arabichy Armenianaz Azerbaijanieu Basquebe Belarusianbn Bengalibs Bosnianbg Bulgarianca Catalanceb Cebuanony Chichewazh-CN Chinese (Simplified)zh-TW Chinese (Traditional)co Corsicanhr Croatiancs Czechda Danishnl Dutchen Englisheo Esperantoet Estoniantl Filipinofi Finnishfr Frenchfy Frisiangl Galicianka Georgiande Germanel Greekgu Gujaratiht Haitian Creoleha Hausahaw Hawaiianiw Hebrewhi Hindihmn Hmonghu Hungarianis Icelandicig Igboid Indonesianga Irishit Italianja Japanesejw Javanesekn Kannadakk Kazakhkm Khmerko Koreanku Kurdish (Kurmanji)ky Kyrgyzlo Laola Latinlv Latvianlt Lithuanianlb Luxembourgishmk Macedonianmg Malagasyms Malayml Malayalammt Maltesemi Maorimr Marathimn Mongolianmy Myanmar (Burmese)ne Nepalino Norwegianps Pashtofa Persianpl Polishpt Portuguesepa Punjabiro Romanianru Russiansm Samoangd Scottish Gaelicsr Serbianst Sesothosn Shonasd Sindhisi Sinhalask Slovaksl Slovenianso Somalies Spanishsu Sudanesesw Swahilisv Swedishtg Tajikta Tamilte Teluguth Thaitr Turkishuk Ukrainianur Urduuz Uzbekvi Vietnamesecy Welshxh Xhosayi Yiddishyo Yorubazu Zulu