Chicago launches apprenticeship scheme for city tech roles

Chicago has launched an apprenticeship programme to build a pipeline of technology talent for the city.

The DiverseTech scheme will train 25 apprentices in areas such as cybersecurity and digital services, in line with the growing need for IT roles across the city government. It also aims to provide new skills and career opportunities for residents in underrepresented communities.

The initiative is a public-private partnership including Chicago’s Department of Human Resources and the Department of Assets, Information and Services, as well as the Discovery Partners Institute at the University of Illinois and SDI Presence, an IT services firm headquartered in Chicago.

The scheme was announced by former mayor Lori Lightfoot last week ahead of Brandon Johnson being sworn in as Chicago’s new mayor on Monday May 15. A spokesperson for the Mayor’s Office has said the programme will go ahead under the new administration.

“This is a landmark programme to build our local, diverse technology talent,” said Lightfoot.

“Chicago needs more tech talent, and this programme will kick-start meaningful career opportunities and pathways for underserved communities.”

Many cities have highlighted the challenges of attracting and retaining staff for IT and technology-related roles.

Untapped potential

SDI will hire, manage and mentor up to 25 apprentices for one year. The partnership will recruit people from historically underrepresented communities in Chicago, including through sources such as community colleges.

The programme begins with 12 weeks of pre-apprenticeship training designed by the Discovery Partners Institute.

“The solution to modernising the city’s technology workforce can be found within the city limits and in untapped communities,” said the Institute’s Executive Director Bill Jackson. “Too often, these positions are offshored, but we know that investing in these kinds of opportunities will pay dividends both for the city and its citizens.”

SDI will hire the apprentices as full-time employees for the duration of the programme, providing salary and benefits as well as professional development and mentorship.

Policy change

The city will identify which technological needs and services are a highest priority and work directly with the apprentices through an existing contract with SDI for technology services. Upon completion of their employment with SDI, the city departments will “grant the apprentices the highest preference for technology-related employment allowed by law, city hiring policies, and collective bargaining agreements”.

The city will also convene a working group that will issue a set of recommendations for changes to policies and bargaining agreements to create direct pathways to technology employment for apprentices.

“DiverseTech will modernise the city’s technology, resulting in better services to city residents and businesses,” said City Chief Technology Officer Nick Lucius.

“Private companies in Chicago will also have a proven model with a tactical programme implementation playbook to add diverse technology talent into their supply chain.”