On Wednesday, Northwestern announced plans to launch the All Evanston Hiring Hub, a “cross-community workforce initiative” in partnership with local organizations and nonprofits.
Residents undergoing sector- or occupation-based training will be connected to the Ryan Family Foundation Workforce Development Initiative, “minimizing the burden on both workforce organizations and employers,” according to the announcement. The hub is a collaboration with the Ryan Family Foundation and aims to create pathways from workforce training to employment for Evanston residents.
Chicago-based workforce technology company STEAMe will provide digital and data infrastructure to help connect employers, workforce organizations and community stakeholders. With STEAMe’s help, the hub hopes to establish direct lines between workforce organizations and aligned local employers.
“The Ryan Family Foundation investment in workforce development will bring access to economic opportunity for every resident, measured in careers not training completions,” NU workforce development specialist Jon Kimmel wrote in the University’s announcement.
The foundation’s investment will allow the hub to connect more Evanston residents to “meaningful, living-wage careers,” he added.
The Ryan Family Foundation will fund the hub’s three-year demonstration, and the University will coordinate workforce partners and manage industry- and occupation-specific job portals and placement while measuring outcomes.
Hub partners, including Youth Job Center, National Louis University, Per Scholas and The Trade Collective, will provide sector- and occupation-based training, and STEAMe will create pathways from this training to employment.
“Northwestern’s commitment to Evanston extends far beyond our campus,” Dave Davis, NU’s assistant vice president of neighborhood and community relations, wrote in Wednesday’s announcement. “As anchor of the All Evanston Hiring Hub, we will apply our research capabilities and community relationships to make sure the talent Evanston develops connects to the jobs Evanston needs.”
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