Twenty One High School Seniors From 13 CPS Schools To Be Awarded a Paid Apprenticeship With Well Known Companies and Hospitals Through City Colleges of Chicago’s Innovative[...]

Business leaders will help award youth apprenticeships and give out their specific company swag bag to seniors

CHICAGO (August 1, 2024) - As part of the innovative Career Launch Chicago program, 21 Chicago Public Schools (CPS) rising seniors will be awarded a paid apprenticeship, in person, by business leaders, hospital leaders, and CPS and City Colleges of Chicago officials during a celebration event to be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Malcolm X College, 1900 W. Jackson Boulevard, in Chicago on Friday, August 2, 2024. Invited guests include family and friends of the students, as well as leadership from City Colleges and CPS.

During the apprenticeship, the high school seniors will earn an hourly wage and work from 10 to 16 hours a week and as part of the school's curriculum. They will be graded on the quality of their work and may earn college credit, while in high school, toward an associate degree at City Colleges of Chicago. Degrees awarded to them while in high school include basic and advanced certifications.

"Through Career Launch, I will work as a Pharmacy Technician Youth Apprentice at Advocate Christ Medical Center while I'm a senior in high school. I'm thrilled because this apprenticeship is giving me the tools to be successful while I earn an income and learn about a great profession," said Isabela Mariscal, a senior at John F. Kennedy High School.

"We are so proud of these young people and grateful for City Colleges of Chicago and our business partners that are helping us build more career pathways," said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. "We know that these hands-on experiences and training make a world of difference in how well our students learn and apply their knowledge and skills, growing their confidence and success."

"These high-value apprenticeships will expose students to great careers and provide students with the advanced skill sets they need to find employment with an upward career trajectory," said Chancellor Juan Salgado, City Colleges of Chicago. "Career Launch Chicago is giving our students a career jump-start and supporting them well as they pursue their educational and career goals."

Students participating in the apprenticeship programs are from the following Chicago Public Schools:

• Carl Schurz
• Charles A. Prosser Career Academy
• Chicago Vocational Career Academy
• Dunbar Vocational Career Academy
• Gurdon S. Hubbard
• Gwendolyn Brooks/Chicago Builds
• Harlan Community Academy/Chicago Builds
• John F. Kennedy
• North-Grand
• Pathways in Education
• Richard T. Crane Medical Prep
• William Howard Taft
• World Language

Apprenticeship programs will be held with the following partners:

• Advocate Christ Medical Center
• Northwestern Medical Center
• Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
• Advocate Trinity Hospital
• Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
• S&C Electric Company
• Gerber Collision and Glass
• PAC Leaders
• Powers Construction

The Career Launch Chicago youth apprenticeship program is part of the Chicago Roadmap, a collaboration between Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago working as one to provide a seamless education pathway beginning the moment students step into pre-k classrooms and stretching to and through college. For more information about City Colleges of Chicago, visit ccc.edu or call 773-COLLEGE. For information about CPS, visit cps.edu.