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An employer team planning a workforce training program in a Chicago office overlooking the skyline.

Chicago Workforce Solutions

Turn Workforce Funding Into a Structured Program.

The City of Chicago Workforce Solutions Program helps eligible employers reimburse approved employee training costs. WorkFuture turns that opportunity into a structured program — from needs assessment and curriculum design through delivery and outcomes.

WorkFuture helps eligible Chicago employers turn workforce funding into structured training — from program design through delivery and documentation.

See How It Works

Independent training providerFunding eligibility and reimbursement decisions are made by the City of Chicago and E&ES.

Program Basics

What Is the Chicago Workforce Solutions Program?

The Chicago Workforce Solutions Program is a reimbursement grant that supports qualified workforce training for eligible Chicago employers. Grants may fund up to 100% of eligible expenses, up to a standard maximum of $250,000, for current employee upskilling and new‑hire on-the-job training (OJT).

Employers must be financially prepared to pay training costs up front. Reimbursement is requested after eligible training is completed and required documentation is submitted and approved.

Three colleagues reviewing printed training plan materials together at a table.

Before Applying

What Employers Should Know Before Applying

Before pursuing funding, confirm that your organization, training need, and budget align with the Workforce Solutions Program requirements.

Eligibility & Location

Your organization must meet program eligibility requirements, including Chicago location and applicable business, nonprofit, industry, and employee criteria.

Training Fit

Training should address a real workforce need, such as current employee upskilling, new‑hire OJT, leadership development, technology skills, or another qualified job‑related need.

Upfront Funding

This is a reimbursement grant. Employers must be financially prepared to pay eligible training costs up front and seek reimbursement later.

Documentation & Timing

Employers should be prepared to maintain required documentation, follow approved timelines, meet deadlines, and complete monitoring and closeout.

Program administration: The Workforce Solutions Program is provided by the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development and administered by Employment & Employer Services (E&ES).

Review the full official program details (opens in a new tab)

Eligibility

Eligibility Requirements

Employers should review the program requirements before pursuing funding.

  • Located in, expanding into, or relocating to the City of Chicago
  • Workforce training for W‑2 permanent full-time and/or permanent part-time staff
  • Commitment to remain in the community area for at least three years
  • Financially prepared to pay all training costs up front
  • $250,000 grant limit with a three-year waiting period after the limit is reached

WBE/MBE applicants: Woman-owned and/or minority-owned organizations should complete the WBE/MBE question in the application. Formal WBE/MBE certification or registration is not required for this application; this section is based on self-identification.

Review the official program materials (opens in a new tab)

Eligible Industries

Industries the Program Can Support

The Workforce Solutions Program supports employers across a range of industries.

  • Nonprofits
  • Food Service, Tourism & Hospitality
  • Healthcare & Life Sciences
  • Manufacturing & Industrial
  • Information Technology
  • Real Estate, Finance & Insurance
  • Retail
  • Energy
  • Education & Training
  • Transportation, Distribution & Logistics

This list is not all-inclusive. Employers with questions about whether their industry qualifies should review the official program materials or contact the Workforce Solutions Program team.

Review the official program materials (opens in a new tab)

Application Process

How the Workforce Solutions Process Works

From application through reimbursement, the Workforce Solutions Program follows a defined employer process.

  1. Apply & Qualify

    1. Submit Application

      Submit the Workforce Solutions Program application through the official process.

    2. Eligibility Notification & Training Needs Assessment

      E&ES reviews the application, confirms eligibility status, and requests the required Training Needs Assessment.

    3. Submit Supporting Documentation

      Provide the required business, workforce, and training documentation.

  2. Agreement & Training

    1. Recipient Agreement Issued

      After required documentation is reviewed and approved, the Recipient Agreement is provided for review and signature.

    2. Execute Recipient Agreement

      The employer signs and submits the Recipient Agreement for program processing.

    3. Contract Executed & Training Begins

      After the agreement is executed and processed and the employer receives the applicable award notification, approved training may begin.

  3. Reimbursement & Closeout

    1. Complete Training & Pay Provider

      Complete approved training and pay eligible training costs before requesting reimbursement.

    2. Submit Reimbursement Documentation

      Submit the required voucher and reimbursement documentation for review by E&ES and the City of Chicago Department of Planning and Development.

    3. Monitoring & Closeout

      Complete required monitoring, reporting, and closeout requirements after training is completed.

Process based on the September 1, 2026 Workforce Solutions Informational Webinar published by Employment & Employer Services (E&ES).

Review the official program materials (opens in a new tab)

Eligible Training

Use Workforce Solutions to Upskill Your Workforce

The Workforce Solutions Program can support qualified training for current employees and new hires, along with certain direct training costs. Employers may use funding to strengthen job-related skills, leadership capability, and on-the-job readiness.

Current Employee Upskilling

Build job-related capabilities for current employees through qualified workforce training.

New-Hire On-the-Job Training

Support qualifying new hires through approved on‑the‑job training (OJT).

Leadership Development

Support leadership development training for eligible Chicago residents.

Instructor & Trainer Fees

Support instructor wages and trainer fees associated with approved incumbent worker training.

Training Materials & Equipment

Support eligible training supplies, materials, and rental equipment tied directly to approved training.

Customized Training Curriculum

Support customized training curriculum designed around the employer’s workforce and training needs.

Eligible training examples are based on the September 1, 2026 Workforce Solutions Informational Webinar. Final eligibility and allowable costs are determined through the official program process.

Review the official program materials (opens in a new tab)

WorkFuture Academy

Structured Training Built Around Your Workforce Need

WorkFuture Academy delivers employer training across AI fluency, management and leadership, and workplace effectiveness. Each program follows a defined curriculum and delivery framework, then is tailored to the employer's workforce priorities, participant audience, and business context.

AI Fluency & Workplace Productivity

Build practical AI fluency and help employees use AI effectively, responsibly, and productively in their work.

Core Modules

  • Human-AI Collaboration
  • Prompting & Context
  • Research, Analysis & Communication
  • Workflow Productivity & Quality Review

Management & Leadership Development

Build practical leadership capability for employees responsible for people, teams, and performance.

Core Modules

  • Transitioning Into Management
  • Expectations & Accountability
  • Coaching & Feedback
  • Delegation, Performance & Change

Workplace & Customer Excellence

Strengthen communication, execution, problem-solving, and customer-facing performance across teams.

Core Modules

  • Communication & Collaboration
  • Accountability & Prioritization
  • Problem Solving & Customer Communication
  • De-escalation & Service Recovery

The WorkFuture Delivery Framework

Every WorkFuture Academy program follows a defined framework for program design, delivery, measurement, and outcomes reporting.

  1. Assess

    Define the workforce need, participant audience, and pre‑training baseline.

  2. Design

    Build the curriculum, learning objectives, training schedule, and participant experience.

  3. Deliver

    Facilitate instructor-led training with applied exercises and role-relevant materials.

  4. Track & Measure

    Document participation and progress, then measure learning through post‑program assessment.

  5. Report

    Summarize outcomes, participant feedback, observed impact, and employer recommendations.

Programs can be customized by audience, role group, delivery format, business need, and employer context.

Explore WorkFuture Academy →

How WorkFuture Fits

Structured Program Management From Setup Through Closeout

WorkFuture helps employers move from an identified workforce need to a structured, documented training engagement. Program design, delivery coordination, participation tracking, outcomes, and supporting records are managed through the WorkFuture Workspace so the engagement stays organized in one place.

  1. Program Setup

    Define the training scope, participant population, curriculum, schedule, facilitator requirements, and cost proposal.

  2. Delivery Coordination

    Manage cohort scheduling, participant communications, facilitator coordination, training materials, and session logistics.

  3. Tracking & Documentation

    Maintain attendance, completion status, assessment results, participant feedback, and supporting training records.

  4. Outcomes & Closeout Support

    Compile training outcomes, impact information, invoices, and documentation the employer may need for reimbursement and closeout.

Eligibility, funding approval, reimbursement, and official program administration remain with the City of Chicago and Employment & Employer Services (E&ES).

WorkFuture Workspace

The Operational Hub for Your Training Engagement

WorkFuture Workspace gives employers one place to manage participant rosters, schedules, attendance, program documents, outcomes, and closeout records throughout the engagement.

Instead of coordinating across spreadsheets, email threads, and disconnected files, employers have one organized view of the program.

Prepare for the Application

Start With the Workforce Need

Before developing a training program, WorkFuture helps employers clarify the workforce challenge, target employees, capability gaps, and desired outcomes.

That foundation helps shape the curriculum, schedule, delivery approach, and cost proposal for the training engagement.

Start Your Workforce Needs AssessmentStart Your Needs AssessmentTalk With WorkFuture

WorkFuture's assessment is a planning tool separate from the official E&ES Training Needs Assessment. Eligibility, funding, and reimbursement decisions remain with the program administrator and City.