What Are Progressive Career Pathways?

Are you a young adult who is uncertain that a four-year college degree program is right for you right now? A four-year degree is one way to prepare for a career, but it is not the only way. Chicagoland CareerPathways will point you to programs that provide on-ramps to rewarding careers, and let you begin earning money in two years or less (often much less).

Throughout this directory, you’ll see the term “progressive pathway” (or ProPath for short).

These programs can help you get started on a pathway so that you can make progress toward achieving a rewarding career.

There are multiple opportunities to explore including community college certificate programs, paid training, or a combination of work and classes — including many that let you earn industry recognized credentials or college credit. Many pathways can also be a step toward an eventual four-year degree.

Read about the types of pathways available.

Types of Pathways Available

This directory can help you start down five major types of progressive pathways:

Stackable Credential Programs

One way to earn credentials is to alternate periods of study with periods of work. This pathway could empower you to collect credentials over time (or stack credentials). By pursuing this option, you can apply your credentials toward an eventual two-year or four-year degree.

Apprenticeships

With an apprenticeship, you can get paid to learn your new career. An “earn while I learn” model, this pathway empowers you to combine paid on-the-job training with classroom learning. Since this option is flexible, each apprenticeship varies according to the needs of the occupation and the employer.

Trade Programs

Often, trades involve doing creative physical work, instead of sitting at a desk. While you might be naturally talented in a specific trade (such as plumbing, welding, bricklaying, pipefitting, and ironwork), all of them require training and real-world experience to earn a living.

Programs Offered By Community Based Organizations

Chicagoland Career Pathways connects potential students with a variety of programs funded by community based (nonprofit) organizations. Mosts of these programs are free (or almost free). Many provide different kinds of support to help you stay focused and complete the program. Year Up and Skills for Chicagoland’s Future are examples of community based organizations.

WIOA Programs

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) is designed to help job seekers, particularly those with barriers to employment, secure the employment, education, training and support services necessary to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers they need to compete in the global economy.

The costs of some of the programs listed in the Chicagoland Career Pathways directory may be covered by WIOA funding.

In order to receive this funding, you have to prove you’re eligible for it. To find out if you qualify for this funding, you should contact a Chicago Workforce Center.