Start your career path to success through this joint career advancement and educational program. Partnering with Skills for Chicagoland’s Future and Richard J. Daley College, Freedman Seating Company has created an exciting opportunity for Chicago’s unemployed and underemployed young adults. If you are between 18-24 years of age and have a high school diploma or GED, this is your chance to position yourself for immediate and long-term success.
Give yourself a competitive advantage by applying to this role through Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (Skills). Skills is a nonprofit organization that partners with organizations across the Chicagoland area to place unemployed and underemployed job seekers into companies. These employers are committed to hiring talent through Skills.
Read: New Initiative Places Chicago’s Unemployed Youth into Jobs
Why utilize Skills for Chicagoland’s Future as one of your job search sources?
Skills is free for job seekers. Any job seeker who Skills determines is a match for the role is interviewed by a member of Skills’ Talent Acquisition Team and provided with additional insights into the role. As you move through the hiring process, Skills is your advocate with the hiring company.
Program Overview:
This new opportunity is a part of Skills for Chicagoland’s Future’s recently launched Beyond the Diploma initiative, focused on Chicago’s young adult job seekers. Over two years, program participants will work part-time at Freedman Seating Company while also attending classes at Richard J. Daley College to receive their associate degree at no cost to the participant. Upon completion of the program, participants are ready for long-term success at Freedman Seating Company and will continue their career path into leadership roles and beyond!
About Freedman Seating Company:
Freedman Seating Company is a family owned and operated manufacturer of bus, rail, marine, delivery truck, specialty and commercial vehicle seating. Consistent growth and expansion has earned Freedman Seating recognition as the leading manufacturer of transportation seating solutions. Located on Chicago’s west side, Freedman Seating Company employs over 800 individuals.
Working at Freedman Seating Company:
Starting in an entry-level role, participants will take the first step in their career journey at Freedman Seating Company. Available roles include:
- Packer: prepares finished seats to be shipped to customers
- Material Handler: provides departments with materials to assemble/manufacture seats
- Gluer: applies glue to seat parts for assembly
- Assembler: performs basic assembly of seats
After achieving success in these roles, participants will be able to obtain hands-on knowledge in manufacturing with the opportunity to advance to higher-skilled positions within the company.
Attending Richard J. Daley College:
Program participants will attend classes at Richard J. Daley College, a City Colleges of Chicago campus. Over the course of the program, participants will have an opportunity to first earn one of four Basic Certificates (CNC Machining, Factory Automation, Quality Assurance, and Welding) of their choice and finally pursue an Associate’s Degree in Advanced Manufacturing. Participants will attend Richard J. Daley College with no out of pocket costs for the duration of the program.
The Process: I’m interested, what do I do now?
To participate, all interested individuals must apply through Skills for Chicagoland’s Future (Skills). Skills will then guide qualified applicants through the various enrollment and application processes. If you are ready to participate in this life-changing program, click “Apply” below!
Program Success:
Program participants will receive support and resources throughout the program from mentors and guidance staff.
Minimum Qualifications:
- High school diploma/GED
- City of Chicago resident
- Qualified to pursue Richard J. Daley College’s associate degree program
- Ability to stand for a full eight hour shift
- Ability to lift a minimum of 20 pounds frequently
- Attention to detail
- Ability to be trained and willingness to learn