(WBBM NEWSRADIO) - This week’s Difference Maker features a workforce development group that helps train and place people without college degrees into careers.
“JumpHire is not going to solve the workforce challenges in Chicago by itself, but I hope we can kind of shake it up a little,” said Cayley Tullman with JumpHire.
That shakeup Tullman and others at JumpHire want is tapping workers who are ready to learn but frustrated with traditional workforce training.
“People were spending their time, their resources, their effort, putting their heart into this work, and then there wasn’t a job at the end,” added Tullman.
Cayley and her dad Glen congratulated a recent cohort of EMT apprentices who will have jobs once they’re licensed.
“It’s just great to see all of you and to know that you’re going to be such a core part of our healthcare systems,” Glen told them.
In addition to patient transport, JumpHire has placed 108 workers in the last two years in jobs in supply chain, food service, pharmacy and security.
Tullman said they don’t pigeonhole people.
“By the time someone is deep into a training program, they might realize it’s not for them, not because they’re not extremely hard working, not because they don’t have great talent, but each job needs a suitable candidate, and it has to work for their life,” Tullman said.
The nonprofit gives participants a stipend, childcare, transportation to its East Garfield Park location and mental health support.
“That’s something that has fortunately and unfortunately really blown up…People need and want that work,” Tullman told WBBM.
JumpHire, making a difference in getting Chicagoans employed.
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