Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Celebrates Department of Streets and Sanitation Laborer Trainee Program Graduates

CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, along with Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) Commissioner Cole Stallard, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) representatives, and LiUNA Laborers Local 1001, gathered today to recognize the graduates of the General Laborer Trainee Program. This program is a partnership between CPS and the City of Chicago that offers recent high school graduates a direct pathway to full-time employment as laborers.

Mayor Johnson expressed his pride in honoring this group of young people as they embark on the next phase of their lives. He highlighted the skills-based instruction and real-world experience that these graduates have gained through the program, which will lead them to earning an annual salary of $90,000 after three years of public service. The mayor emphasized that this is more than what he and his wife were making combined when they first started their careers. He also noted that by investing in the next generation of Chicagoans, the city is creating opportunities for all young people to succeed.

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The General Laborer Trainee Program has been running for three years now and provides summer job opportunities for recent CPS graduates. The participants receive specialized instruction in four areas: General Construction, Environmental, Safety, and Underground. After completing classroom instruction, they work alongside DSS employees in the field to gain hands-on skills and experience.

Commissioner Stallard expressed his pride in partnering with CPS and Laborers Local 1001 on this program that offers full-time employment pathways for youth. He also thanked 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. This allows them to bid on full-time employment opportunities with the city. 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.

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The DSS General Laborer Trainee Program was created in collaboration with DSS, CPS, the Department of Human Resources, and Laborers' Local 1001. It is part of Mayor Johnson's ongoing commitment to transform youth employment opportunities across the city. Since taking office, youth employment opportunities through the city have increased by over 55%. In March, Mayor Johnson announced the rebranding of Chicago Youth Works, which is 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.

This partnership between CPS and the City of Chicago is providing valuable opportunities for young people to gain skills and experience while also earning a livable wage. With continued support from Mayor Johnson and other city officials, it is clear that this program will continue to positively impact the lives of Chicago's youth for years to come.

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