Hire Frequency

Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
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Welcome to Hire Frequency, the official podcast of The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. The Partnership operates one of the largest publicly funded workforce systems in the country, serving the great City of Chicago and the nation's second largest county, Cook County. Whether you're a job seeker or an employer, we hope this podcast offers you meaningful perspectives as we discuss national and local employment trends, dos and don'ts, hot jobs, and how to either develop or access talent. Your host is George Wright, Chief Executive Officer of The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.

  1. FEB 27

    Episode 40: Black History Month Reminds Us That Leadership is Rooted in Legacy and Community

    As Black History Month comes to a close, join three Black leaders as they share their paths to success and talk about the family members whose faith helps propel them to this day.  Partnership CEO and podcast host George Wright is joined by Greg Coles, SELOC founder and president, a leading electric fleet conversion company, and Michael-Charles Hilson, Vice President at GBG Insurance, who focuses on connecting Black contractors with the business tools and staff they need to succeed.

    31 min

  2. 12/15/2025

    Episode 39: Relevance and Affordability Should be Two Important Words in Education Today

    Join us as we talk to Terrance Hopson, Regional Vice President of the Midwest Region for Western Governors University. WGU is an online school with nearly 6,000 active students in Illinois and more than 12,000 graduates in the state. The conversation addresses head on the challenge of student debt and aligning education to careers that will provide a good wage and path forward.   The goal is to obtain a credential of economic value that meets workforce needs. Our CEO and Dr. Hopson discuss the reality of today's education and career training landscape and how to help ensure every student is ready to succeed.

    30 min

  3. 11/13/2025

    Episode 38: Trees (and a Career Path) Are a Good Investment in Your Future

    Interested in joining an army to take of the planet? It's not a hard as it sounds. If you want to combine meaningful work with long-term fulfillment, working as an arborist may be for you. Plant your roots in an apprenticeship that will allow you to grow for years. Join our guests today as they discuss the Arborist Registered Apprenticeship program through Openlands in the Chicago region. For more information, visit Openlands.org.

    35 min

  4. 10/30/2025

    Episode 37: It Takes a Village to Create a Successful Internship

    This episode shows the lifecycle of a successful internship. You will hear from senior level professionals who talk about their own first jobs, as well as a high school senior who is just starting out with a great apprenticeship/internship opportunity. Everyone has a story. Everyone begins somewhere. Listen to these four people tell their stories, and give advice about how to make your own dreams come true.

    35 min

  5. 09/22/2025

    Episode 36: Healthcare and Green Energy Sectors Grow Careers: You Can Find Success Without a B.A.

    You can bring your whole self to work! Join workforce development leaders who work in 365 24/7 high-demand sectors! Hear them discuss how they create talent pipelines that remove barriers and in an ever changing eco-system. Don't miss the chance to hear how local large employers are working to put successful, long-term careers in reach!

    40 min

  6. 09/16/2025

    Episode 35: What's the Fuss About Apprenticeships?

    Both businesses and career seekers give apprenticeships an A+ ! Apprenticeships help businesses develop their talent within a proven model and help career-seekers 'earn while they learn' while on the job. The Partnership aligns its apprenticeship initiative with the U.S. Department of Labor's Registered Apprenticeship Program and the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, expanding beyond traditionally known trades to promoting the model in non-traditional industries and occupations nationwide. Join us to hear from City Colleges of Chicago and a local employer why apprenticeship isn't just a new-fangled word for internship, but much more.

    38 min

  7. 09/09/2025

    Episode 34: Exploring Our Region's American Job Center Network This Workforce Development Month

    How is our WIOA-funded American Job Center network really doing? In this episode, we take a look from the inside out—everything from curb appeal to what it's like to actually work with the system. Joining the conversation are Mark Sanders II, Deputy Commissioner of Workforce Services for the City of Chicago; Irene Sherr, Deputy Bureau Chief for the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development; and Becky Raymond, Executive Director of ScaleLit and Partnership One Stop Operator. Together, they talk about why it's time to "flip the script" and focus on sector-based work with employers, the need for stronger regional connections, and how we can better meet the moment for residents who rely on this network. Finally, the "public" in public workforce network doesn't mean it's free. Customers have pre-paid with their tax dollar so there's a credit on your account. Let's use it!

    57 min

  8. 09/03/2025

    Episode 33: Where We Are Now and Where We Are Going: A Look at Public Workforce Systems

    September 2025 is the 20th annual Workforce Development Month.  If we hold a mirror up to ourselves, how do we look?  Like most of us, we see some areas where we excel and others where we can improve. Throughout September, The Partnership is streaming 4 live podcasts hosted by CEO George Wright, joined by regional and national leaders, funders and partners, to discuss today's the public workforce systems.  Whether it is working our way out of silos or focusing on designing our systems around the needs of employers, is it time to 'hit the gym' and get parts of our systems in shape? In episode one of this special series, Where We Are Now and Where We Are Going: A Look at  Public Workforce Systems,  George discusses these questions and more with Julio Rodriguez, Deputy Director of the Office of Employment and Training, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity; and Brad Turner-Little, president and CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards.

    52 min
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About

Welcome to Hire Frequency, the official podcast of The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. The Partnership operates one of the largest publicly funded workforce systems in the country, serving the great City of Chicago and the nation's second largest county, Cook County. Whether you're a job seeker or an employer, we hope this podcast offers you meaningful perspectives as we discuss national and local employment trends, dos and don'ts, hot jobs, and how to either develop or access talent. Your host is George Wright, Chief Executive Officer of The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.

Information

  • Creator
    Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    41
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2021
  • Show Website
    Hire Frequency