By: Ashmar Mandou

Earlier this week, the City appointed Alberto Ortega as Director of Workforce Strategy and Business Engagement, a role that will require the implementation of a new workforce development strategy across City of Chicago departments and Sister Agencies, in collaboration with Cook County and other key stakeholders. This strategy is focused on promoting the economic mobility of low-income residents by expanding access to educational and skill-training opportunities.

Prior to his appointment, Ortega founded the Workforce Employer Resource Collaborative (WERC), a network of more than 35 nonprofit organizations that aims to match employers with qualified workers, connect people to family-sustaining wage jobs, and customize strategies to enhance recruitment and retention. “It is truly an honor to join Mayor Lightfoot and the entire City to build relationships for economic and social impact through meaningful internal as well as external engagement activities to continue to advance the City as an inclusive and diverse employer, and bring jobs and economic growth to all of Chicago,” said Ortega in a statement.

Ortega will oversee the newly created Chicago Construction Careers Council (C4), a multi-department and multi-agency task force charged with creating new standards for hiring, training, and supplying labor needs for construction projects in Chicago.

Part of role will also have Ortega work alongside Chicago Public Schools (CPS) and City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) students under the Career Launch Chicago umbrella in an effort to prepare youth for the booming industries. Career Launch Chicago is the city’s new youth apprenticeship effort that will connect CPS students with college coursework and paid work-based learning, leading to post-secondary credentials from City Colleges of Chicago toward careers in health care, information technology, or advanced manufacturing.

“Chicago’s strength lies in our ability to attract and maintain educational and job opportunities for our residents for today and for the future,” said Alderman Susan Sadlowski-Garza (10), Chair of the Committee on Workforce Development. “I look forward to working with Mr. Ortega in creating a robust workforce agenda that will attract businesses as well as individuals throughout the entire City.”

Ortega holds a master’s degree from the University of Chicago’s School of Social Service Administration and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Loyola University Chicago.