Bridge the Access Gap

We believe everyone should have equal access to jobs. Our model brings together local workforce organizations and global employers, resulting in connecting more job seekers in underinvested communities to opportunities. We are striving towards an equitable future, join us.

Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission

Empower local organizations to adapt the demand-driven model to create solutions for employers to get unemployed and underemployed job seekers back to work.

Our Vision

Build a network of partners and connected affiliate sites so the Skills Model is available to all employers focused on inclusive hiring and anyone searching for a job.

Our North Star

To increase the economic mobility of underemployed and unemployed talent by connecting them to quality jobs through our deep partnerships and understanding of the hiring needs of our network of engaged employers.

We Start with the Biggest Hurdle in Job Search: Connections to Employers

Too many great candidates can’t get through the hiring process because of things that have nothing to do with their skills and talents: they don’t have the right connections, they haven’t tailored their resume to get through the applicant tracking system, or they aren’t familiar with the hiring process. At Skills, we start with relationships with trusted employers. Our model enables us to build a network of employers that our candidates can leverage to land quality jobs. Our unique recruiting system allows us to find talent that employers often overlook. The Skills Model is proven effective and efficient, and is utilized at all Skills Affiliate Sites.

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We drive inclusive hiring

Skills Affiliate Sites are focused on serving underinvested communities and our recruitment efforts—including strategic marketing and sourcing—connect applicants with jobs nearby with our dedicated employers.

We’re a part of the local community

Our Skills Affiliate Sites are established leaders in the local workforce community. With a footprint in the community we're serving, we understand the business and workforce landscape and know how to work with partners to achieve the impact our city needs.

We eliminate barriers

The jobs-first model is proven to expand talent pipelines by focusing on the needs of the business community, then connecting often overlooked individuals with the available, quality jobs they are qualified for.

We are a network

The power of our national network brings operational efficiencies, shared learnings and insights to our Skills Affiliate Sites in cities across the country to drive local change and increase impact.

We Prove that Equity Works

A job is transformational. At scale, the power of a job can be measured through both economic and social impact. As we scale and growth the network of Skills Affiliate Sites, the impact will also grow exponentially, lifting up underserved populations across the country.

20,000

cumulative placements

317+

employer partners

$411.4M

total wage impact

Join Our Team

Do you have a passion for workforce development and impacting the economic mobility of underserved communities? If you also value innovation, equity and integrity, we invite you to browse open positions at Skills and apply today.

Join Our Team

OUR ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Oversight provided by the Skills for Chicagoland's Future Board of Directors

DePaul University

Arbin Smith

Chief of Staff & Vice President for Strategic Initiatives

Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago

Audrey Williams-Lee

Chief People Officer

McDonald's

Heidi Capozzi

EVP, Global Chief People Officer

JP Morgan Chase & Co

Michelle Conklin

Managing Director

Just Act Partners

Matt Johanson

Co-Founder

HUB International

Mark Kendall

Executive Vice President

Skills for Rhode Island's Future

Nina Pande

Executive Director

JKL Advisors LLC

Jeff Lackey

Founder & CEO

Accenture

Srron Graham

Managing Director

ARCO/Murray

Joe Pomerenke

Principal

SKILLS AFFILIATE SITE CHAIRS

Stacy Derstine

VP, External Affairs - AZ Public Service

Board Chair of Greater Phoenix Chamber Foundations

Mark S. Hoplamazian

President and CEO of Hyatt Hotels Corporation

Board Chair of Skills for Chicagoland's Future

Jeff Lackey

Founder and CEO of JKL Advisors LLC

Board Chair of Skills for Rhode Island's Future

AFFILIATE LEADERSHIP

Bridget Altenburg

Chief Executive Officer

Skills for Chicagoland's Future

Nina Pande

Executive Director

Skills for Rhode Island's Future

Todd Sanders

President & Chief Executive Officer

Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce

MEET THE TEAM

Mayra Alarcon

Vice President

Bridget Altenburg

Chief Executive Officer

Allie Brinskelle

Manager, Talent Acquisition Consulting

Berkeley Gaither

Project Analyst

Lacee O'Brien

Sr. Manager, Development

Jason Smolka

Director, Site Replication

Our Thought Partners

We could not do this work alone. Sharing our learnings with our thought partners is how we have been able to innovate and grow our impact. Additionally, as a data informed organization, we value having partners that shape our understanding of the workforce and labor markets.