The program is made possible through a partnership between the Chicago mayor’s office, the University of Illinois System’s Discovery Partners Institute (DPI), the Chicago Minority Business Enterprise’s SDI Presence (SDI), the Chicago Department of Human Resources (DHR) and the Department of Assets, Information and Services (AIS).
“This is a landmark program to build our local, diverse technology talent,” said former Chicago Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot in a recent press release announcing the program. “Opportunities in the technology sector can alter the economic trajectory for families and neighborhoods for generations. Chicago needs more tech talent, and this program will kick-start meaningful career opportunities and pathways for underserved communities.”
Details about the new apprenticeship program were released last week, on the cusp of a mayoral transition — Brandon Johnson was sworn in as Chicago’s 57th mayor Monday morning. However, Jacqui Guillen, deputy press secretary for the Office of the Mayor, confirmed that the program will move ahead under the new administration.
The program will begin with a 12-week pre-apprenticeship training designed by DPI, and to ensure historically underrepresented communities are aware of the program, will leverage community colleges as key sources of talent.
“The solution to modernizing the city’s technology workforce can be found within the city limits and in untapped communities,” DPI’s Executive Director Bill Jackson said in the release. “Too often, these positions are offshored, but we know that investing in these kinds of opportunities will pay dividends both for the city and its citizens.”
After completion of the pre-apprenticeship training, SDI will then hire, manage and mentor the apprentices for the duration of the yearlong program, providing salary and benefits along with professional development training.
“SDI strongly believes that a diverse firm is well-positioned to create technology workforce programming to grow opportunities for Chicago’s large, diverse population,” said SDI CEO Hardik Bhatt. “We are glad to partner with DPI to support the city’s vision of cultivating diverse talent and supporting the city of Chicago’s technology modernization efforts.”
City officials will assist by identifying and connecting participants with technological opportunities based on a contract between SDI and the city. Upon completion of their employment with SDI, AIS and DHR will “grant the apprentices the highest preference for technology-related employment allowed by law, city hiring policies and collective bargaining agreements.”
“DiverseTech will modernize the city’s technology, resulting in better services to city residents and businesses,” City Chief Technology Officer Nick Lucius stated. “Private companies in Chicago will also have a proven model with a tactical program implementation playbook to add diverse technology talent into their supply chain.”
