CHICAGO— Today Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Department of Streets and Sanitation Commissioner Cole Stallad, and representatives from Chicago Public Schools and LiUNA Laborers Local 1001 to honor graduates of the General Laborer Trainee Program, a partnership offering recent CPS graduates a direct pathway to full-time employment with the City of Chicago as a laborer.
“I am proud to honor this remarkable group of young people as they prepare for the next phase of their lives,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “Through skills-based instruction and real-world experience, these graduates are on the path to earning $90,000 annually after three years of public service—to put that into perspective, that’s more than my wife and I were making combined when we first started our careers.
By empowering the next generation of Chicagoans, we’re investing in a future where every young person has the opportunity to succeed.”
Now in its third year, the General Laborer Trainee Program provides summer job opportunities to recent CPS graduates.
Participants are offered specialized instruction in four general areas: General Construction, Environmental, Safety, and Underground.
Following classroom instruction, laborer trainees work directly with DSS employees in the field to gain on-the-job skills and experience.
“We’re very proud to partner with Chicago Public Schools and Laborers Local 1001 on this program that provides full-time employment pathways for our youth,” saidDSS Commissioner Cole Stallard. “We’re also grateful to Mayor Johnson for supporting this investment in the future of Chicago.”
Upon completion of the program, trainees are granted union membership with LiUNA Laborers Local 1001, allowing graduates to bid on full-time City employment opportunities.
After three years of employment, Laborers can earn close to $90,000 annually.
Since its inception in 2024, over 150 young people have completed the program across three cohorts.
The DSS General Laborer Trainee Program was createdin collaboration with DSS, CPS, the Department of Human Resources, and Laborers’ Local 1001 is part of Mayor Johnson’s ongoing commitment to transform youth employment opportunities across the City of Chicago.
Since taking office, youth employment opportunities through the City have increased over 55%.
In March, Mayor Johnson announced the rebranding of Chicago Youth Works, a year-round expansion of the program previously known as One Summer Chicago.
In 2025, 31,119 young people were hired for summer jobs through the City.