Women and Minorities Seeking Well-Paying Jobs Encouraged to Apply Now for
YWCA Metropolitan of Chicago’s CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy
Continued YWCA Metro Chicago / ComEd Partnership Helps Eliminate the Racial Wealth Gap
CHICAGO, IL: Women and minorities looking for good-paying jobs that support their families are encouraged to apply for the upcoming class of YWCA Metropolitan Chicago’s CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy, an 11-week job training and placement program offered in collaboration with ComEd beginning in February 2023.
Now in its 10th year, CONSTRUCT has a proven track-record of placing women and minorities in high-demand and high-growth jobs in the construction and utility industries.
This program is unique among local job training initiatives, since the trainees are paid a weekly stipend while they are enrolled in training for business operations, construction skills, financial management, general work readiness, resume writing, even including how to climb a utility pole. After completing the program, graduates have direct connections to 40+ partner companies offering a variety of positions earning as much as $40 per hour with paid vacation, health insurance and other benefits.
CONSTRUCT is one of many workforce development programs offered by the YWCA’s Economic Empowerment Institute, which has a mission of reducing the racial wealth gap by creating job opportunities in under-resourced communities. The YWCA was one of the first nonprofits to pilot the program in 2014 and has since placed more than 130 individuals in utility and construction jobs.
“The CONSTRUCT program has changed lives in the communities we serve.” said LaShanda Hayes, Director of Workforce Development, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago. “Past trainees have since been promoted to jobs with salaries in excess of $100,000, lifting them out of poverty and helping them purchase homes and save, so they can pass on wealth to their children,” he/she added.
CONSTRUCT ensures a diverse workforce and eliminates the barriers for minorities looking to enter the rapidly growing U.S. energy sector, which added more than 300,000 jobs last year. The program is available to men and women who are interested in construction-related fields and meet basic qualifications. Applications are due Friday, January 27, 2023. To learn more, please contact Beatrice Ross at beatrice.ross@ywcachicago.org or (312) 376-2226.
About YWCA Metropolitan Chicago
Founded in 1876, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is a social enterprise committed to eliminating racism, empowering women, and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. As a leading association among a national network of more than 200 YWCAs, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago touches tens of thousands of women and families annually through comprehensive human services provided across the region. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago is a leader in the areas of sexual violence support, early childhood and child care provider services, family support, youth STEM programming and economic empowerment. A commitment to racial justice, equity and inclusion is foundational to all YWCA programs and services. Located in the third-largest American city, YWCA Metropolitan Chicago serves as a national incubator for innovative programming, outreach and engagement strategies. YWCA Metropolitan Chicago works at both the individual and systems levels to create the truly inclusive marketplace necessary for a diverse and balanced economy. The organization is an active member of many national, state, county and city-level coalitions, advocating for policies that combat racism and positively affect women and families. Learn more at www.ywcachicago.org and follow @ywcachicago on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.