KRA Supports History Making CTA Modernization Project
According to a 2020 Cumming Group report, “The Chicago [construction industry] is forecasted to see…growth after a lackluster performance during the 2010s…primarily due to the infrastructure sector, as the city looks to extend and modernize its rail and highway network. As Chicago has long been a hub for the logistics industry, the market is relatively well-positioned to benefit from this shift.”
In support of this “shift”, the KRA Chicago-Westside American Job Center (WAJC) operated for The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, hosted an Information Event for the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Project.
Mignonne Barnes, KRA Program Director, commented, “The Event was a great recruitment venue, providing vital information for individuals, who historically would be marginalized from the opportunity, on how to participate in the largest capital-improvement project in CTA history.”
The CTA, Walsh Fluor, Safer Foundation, Cisco, Mid-City Truck Driving Academy, and six other organizations provided information about their operations with jobseeker-attendees eager to engage and network with the vendors.
In addition to formal CTA, Partnership, and WAJC presentations, a Resume Workshop offered individual development instruction, as well as the opportunity to complete the RPM-intake process. After the event, KRA/WAJC encouraged attendees with a serious interest in interviewing for open positions to proceed with the WIOA-enrollment process, the optimal avenue for participating in the Project.
Since 2018, the KRA/WAJC has supported the Partnership in the operation of multiple construction-trade training programs, assisting jobseekers to qualify for sustainable employment in the industry.
Current projects include ConstructionWorks, powered by the Illinois Tollway under the Workforce Development Technical Assistance Initiative, and a 5-year project with Local 134 Electrical Union, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute. A completed project, the “We Can Build It Partnership”, supported Chicago Women In Trades related to the construction of the Barack Obama Presidential Center.
Dr. Boone’s 20+ years’ experience in the industry is extensive and her expertise in private-, public-, and non-profit sector workforce-services organizations is unparalleled, particularly in the Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan area.
