We Bridge the Access Gap
We believe that everyone should have equal access to jobs. At Skills, we work to make that possible by reducing barriers to employment through partnering with leading companies ready to hire unemployed and underemployed job seekers. Jobs can be life-changing, and we're here to make that a reality.
We Start with the Job
Our Mission
Stand as a life-changing employment resource by connecting underrepresented jobseekers on Chicago’s south and west sides to value-aligned employers with opportunities across industries.
Our Vision
Continuously meet employers' talent needs to create economic opportunity for the unemployed and underemployed.
Our North Star
To increase the economic mobility of under- and unemployed talent by connecting them to quality jobs through our deep partnership and understanding of the unique human capital needs of our network of engaged employers.
We Prove that Equity Works
And we're committed to growing our impact over the next three years by scaling our demand-driven programs, diversifying job types, and driving innovation—with the end goal of placing 4,500 unemployed and underemployed candidates into roles that drive their career growth and financial mobility.
12,150+
lifetime placements
130+
employer partners
60%
of 2023 placements are female
88%
of 2023 placements are BIPOC
$6,120
more earned by Skills placement each year
$278.1M
total wage impact
Meeting Job Seekers Where They Live
Over 70% of our applicants come from historically underserved neighborhoods on Chicago’s South and West Sides. To make good on our commitment to reduce barriers to employment and build access to economic opportunity, we launched Skills Neighborhood Link, an initiative to provide resources and one-on-one support from the Skills team in city neighborhoods. We opened our Englewood office in July 2021, a co-located space in North Lawndale (partnership with North Lawndale Employment Network) in April 2022, and another co-located space in Gage Park (partnership with PODER) in March 2023.
Expanding our Network
We recently announced plans to expand our jobs-first workforce development model to 25 sites nationally over the next 10 years. Current Skills sites in Chicago and Rhode Island have generated a combined economic impact of $307.3M since 2012.
Discover how you can transform lives and champion economic mobility in your city or region by joining the Skills network.
Learn moreOUR BOARD
Health Care Service Corporation
Manika Turnbull, Ph.D., Chair
Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
United Airlines
Michael Bonds, Treasurer
Formerly Executive Vice President, Human Resources & Labor Relations
Skills for Chicagoland's Future
Bridget Altenburg
Chief Executive Officer
EY
Jeff Bilek
Partner, Central Talent Leader
BMO Harris Bank
Carolyn Booth
Head of Distribution, US Personal and Business Banking
Challenger, Gray & Christmas, Inc.
John Challenger
Chief Executive Officer
Walmart
Adonis Clark Sr.
Vice President | Regional General Manager
CDW
Christina Corley
Chief Commercial and Operating Officer
Polk Bros Foundation
Gillian Darlow
Chief Executive Officer
Discover Financial Services
Andy Eichfeld
Formerly EVP, Chief Human Resources & Administrative Officer
HR Policy Association
Rich Floersch
Senior Strategic Advisor
CNO Financial Group, Inc.
Yvonne Franzese
Chief Human Resources Officer
Freedman Seating Co.
Craig Freedman
Chief Executive Officer
Northern Trust
Daniel Gamba
President, Asset Management
Old National Bank
Corliss Garner
Executive Vice President and Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer
Just Act Partners
Juatise Gathings
Founder
Accenture
Srron Graham
Managing Director, Accenture Strategy
Rush University Medical Center
Courtney Kammer
Senior Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer
Hub International
Mark Kendall
Executive Vice President
Kin + Carta
Kelly Manthey
CEO
Motorola Solutions
Kathi Moore
Corporate Vice President - Human Resources
Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Malaika Myers
Chief Human Resources Officer
Vantage Airport Group; Midway Partnership
Sammy Patel
Vice President, Commercial, Vantage Airport Group; CEO, Midway Partnership
KPMG
Claudia Saran
Vice Chair, Culture
Depaul University
Arbin Smith
Chief of Staff, VP for Strategic Initiatives
Endeavor Health
Dianna Sparacino
Chief Human Resources Officer
Jewel-Osco
Eric Stevenson
Vice President, Human Resources
Wintrust Financial Corporation
Gina Stuart
Vice President, Human Resources
Milhouse Engineering and Construction, Inc.
Cory White
Senior Vice President, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Littler Mendelson, P.C.
Michael A. Wilder
Chairman of the Board of Directors
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago
Audrey Williams-Lee
Formerly Chief People Officer
Discover
Jonita Wilson
Chief Diversity Officer
SKILLS BOARD CHAIRS
Manika Turnbull, Ph.d.
Senior Vice President & Chief Human Resources Officer
2024-Present
Mark Hoplamazian
President and Chief Executive Officer of Hyatt Hotels Corporation
2018-2024
Greg Brown
Chairman and CEO of Motorola Solutions
2015-2018
Glenn Tilton
Former Midwest Chairman of JPMorgan Chase & Co; Former Chairman of United Continental Holdings
2013-2015
Penny Pritzker
Founding Board Chair
Founder and Chairman of PSP Partners; Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce
2012-2013
Join Our Team
Do you have a passion for workforce development and impacting the economic mobility of Chicago’s historically underserved communities? If you also value intellectual curiosity and data-driven solutions, innovation and change, and equity and integrity, we invite you to browse open positions at Skills and apply today.