Workforce Development
Forklift Safety & Operation Course
Take the next step toward a rewarding career in warehousing and logistics with our 2-Day Forklift Safety & Operation Course. This hands-on training program is designed for individuals with prior warehouse and forklift experience who want to strengthen their skills, earn certification, and connect with employment opportunities.
Participants will receive practical instruction on both sit-down and stand-up forklifts, workplace safety, and industry best practices while gaining access to job readiness support and career services.
Program Includes
Forklift Training &
Certification
Receive practical instruction and certification after successfully completing the course.
Job Readiness
Workshops
Develop essential workplace skills including communication, professionalism, resume preparation, and interview techniques.
Case
Management
Receive practical instruction and certification after successfully completing the course.
Job Placement
Assistance
Connect with employers and explore career opportunities in warehousing, logistics, manufacturing, and distribution.
Program Schedule
Step 1 (Required)
Orientation
- Monday, Tuesday and wednesday only.
- Starts 8:45 AM sharp (pick any one day to attend); expect to stay 3 hrs.
- Bring required documents: State ID and Social Security Card (must be valid originals - no copies, no expired documents)
RSVP NOT REQUIRED
Step 2
Job Readiness Workshop
- Monday, - Wednesday
- 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM
Build Skills.
Build Confidence.
Build Your Future.
Step 3
Forklift Training
- 2 day Forklift Training
- 9:15 PM - 3:00 PM
Program Requirements
- Have prior warehouse experience
- Have previous forklift operating experience
Safety Requirements
- Must wear closed-toe shoes or work boots
- No Crocs or sandals
- No headphones during training
Register by August 13th
Questions? Contact
Joseph Green
Jas Alexander
Real Skills. Real Careers.
Real Futures.
Westside Health Authority connects Chicago residents to training, employment opportunities, and support services to help build stronger futures.
FREE Services
Free Employment Services
- Job Readiness Training
- Job Preparation & Placement
- Resume Assistance
- Personal Job Coach
- Free GED Certification Classes (through Malcolm X College)
Transitional Job & Employment Preparation Programs
- CACC Paid Animal Shelter Training Program
- Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) Second Chance Program
- JARC Free Career Training in: CNC Machine Operator, Welding, Forklift Operator
- St. Paul Community Development Ministries 12-Week Pre-Apprenticeship Program
- Greater West Town Shipping & Receiving Program
- Woodworks Program
- And many more employment training opportunities
Case Management Services
- Free Case Management Support services assistant
- Free Assistance with Illinois State IDs and Birth Certificates
- Free Hygiene Essentials
- Referrals to Partner Organizations
- Counseling Services (through BEW and CTS)
- Record Expungement / Legal Service Referrals
- Credit Repair Service Referrals
- Supportive Services for: Youth, Adults, Seniors, Returning Citizens
- and much more
Applicants must be residents of the City of Chicago.
Contact
773-786-0226
Employment Requirements
- Registration is offered Monday - Friday at 8:45 AM sharp.
- Bring Current ID or Driver's License
- Be prepared to stay for 3 hours to complete your registration
- If you have a resume bring a copy with you
- If you do not have the required documents or have questions, call: 773-786-0226
Community Support Advisory Council (CSAC West)
Monthly Meeting
Every 3rd Friday of the Month
Location:
4835 W Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60651
Overcomers Group (Soup Kitchen)
Every Thursday
Time: 2:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Location:
5437 W Division St.
Chicago, IL 60651
Free Haircuts
Every Thursday
Limit: 6 slots
Find your Purpose and Unlock your Dreams
Westside Health Authority SC2 (Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago) Workforce Development program offers a comprehensive approach to job readiness providing guidance and support every step of a person’s journey.
Whether you are seeking to obtain employment, learn a skill with the intentions of obtaining a career, or join a trade program to get certified. This model is designed to meet your needs holistically. You will benefit from personalized coaching, skill building, workshops, and resources tailored to facilitate long term success. offers a comprehensive approach to job readiness providing guidance and support every step of a person’s journey.
Our SC2 Workforce Program is 10 Weeks in total 8 weeks will consist of training etc. the final two weeks will consist of finding employment or registering for a hard skill-based program/apprenticeship.
Programming
Week 1
Expectations and goals
Getting to know yourself
What is your interest
Email 101
Week 2
Barriers and obstacles
Smart Money Goals FDIC
Skill matching
Self-Motivation etc.
Week 3
Branding
Be comfortable with being uncomfortable
Resume development
Online applications
Week 4
Keywords in resumes
Job search engines
Researching employer’s websites to review job opportunities while supporting the hiring needs of local businesses
Week 5
Mock Interviewing
Practice makes perfect
Affirmations to yourself etc.
Week 6
Getting the job
Always punctual
First 90 Days
NO Cellphones at work etc.
Week 7
Developing a strong work ethic
Conflict resolution
Dealing with stress
Budgeting 101 etc.
Week 8
What is Purpose
Long term goal setting
Building your foundation
Hard skill Programs meet our partners etc.
Week 9 and 10
Working with Career Specialist on employment
Hard skill programming interest
Graduation
Requirements
- Participants come directly from our SC2 Austin Partners (Together Chicago, BUILD Chicago, and the Institute for Non-Violence Chicago)
- The outreach teams connect with Austin residents who fit the CVI model
What is Community Violence Intervention (CVI)
In 2018, Austin Forward. Together (AFT) leaders identified the need to expand violence intervention initiatives in Chicago. In 2024, AFT leaders and organizations seized an opportunity to meet this need by partnering with citywide collaborative known as Scaling Community Violence Intervention for a Safer Chicago (SC2)
CVI is
- A Community- based approach to addressing violence
- Engaging individuals most at risk of being a victim of or coming an act of gun violence
- A goal to prevent and disrupt cycles of violence and retaliation
- Providing services that save lives, address trauma, and improve the physical, social and economic conditions that drive violence.
Our approach to CVI in Austin
- Street Outreach & Victim Services
- Mental and Behavioral Health Counseling
- Education
- Employment ( Workforce Development)
- Spiritual Counseling, Mentorship & Case Management
- Community Mobilizations
Current and future employment and CSAC partners
- CTA 2nd Chance Program
- CACC Program
- Women's Employed Workforce program and Malcom X College: Phlebotomy, CNA etc
- CleanTurn- Cleaning Service Chicago partnership/ Janitorial Workforce
- St Paul Community Development Ministries (Apprenticeship Training Program) Skilled Construction Trade, Revolution Workshop, Chicago Women in Trades, and Hire 360
- Amazon, Sam’s Club, Walmart, FedEx
- JARC Welding, CNC Machine Operator Programs, and Greater West Town forklift program
- Unite Here Chicago Hospitality Institute
- Austin Chamber of Commerce (finding employer needs & connecting community business owners to job ready participants)
- Illinois Department of Corrections
Workforce development community violence intervention SC2
This Austin Collaborative with the Institute for Non-Violence Chicago (INVC) as our Collaboration HUB is committed to authentic relationship building and transparency, and believes those are best achieved when you have shared values and a willingness to accomplish the greater good together
Austin Coming together
Build
INVC HUB
