Hire talent. Empower change.

At NLEN, we prepare motivated, job-ready individuals who are eager to contribute, grow, and succeed. Our program graduates are equipped with real-world skills, professional training, and the determination to make an impact — on your team, and in their lives.

When you hire from NLEN, you’re not just filling open positions. You’re helping to close the opportunity gap, reduce recidivism, and create a more inclusive, resilient workforce.

Partner with NLEN to build a stronger workforce in areas such as:

Transportation, Distribution & Logistics (TDL)
Green Jobs & Sustainability
Janitorial & Maintenance
Food Service & Hospitality
Construction
Administrative Support & Clerical
Manufacturing, Warehousing & Inventory Management
Retail & Customer Service
Mechanical & Automotive
Nonprofit
Security
Landscaping & Agriculture

Ready to learn more?

Contact our Business Solutions Department by completing this form, or emailing info@nlen.org.

In partnership with the environment

NLEN is deeply committed to helping our graduates find jobs in sustainable industries. This commitment extends to our employment partners:

For more, read our Sustainability & Clean Energy Jobs Whitepaper.

Why hire NLEN graduates?

NLEN offers comprehensive staffing support, including pre-screening, CASA and drug testing, skills training, and on-the-job coaching. Our graduates are reliable, workplace-ready, and equipped with the soft skills to thrive in team environments and align with company culture. We’ll also help you tap into hiring incentives that grow your business and bottom line.

Work-Ready Talent

All graduates have completed job readiness training, financial literacy coaching, and industry-specific skills development.

Soft Skills & Mindset

Our graduates have been trained in teamwork, communication, conflict resolution, and accountability.

End-to-End Support

We offer ongoing support to ensure successful placements and retention.

Diverse Hiring Pathways

Match your needs with full-time, part-time, apprenticeships, or transitional job placements.

Our Valued Partners

A to E

F to N

O to Z

Interested in representing your organization at one of our hiring events?

Learn more about our year-round hiring events and seasonal job fairs.

Hiring events

EMPLOYER SPOTLIGHT

J.P. Morgan Chase

J.P. Morgan Chase has employed many NLEN alumni and more than 20,700 returning citizens nationally. The corporation has contributed nearly two million dollars to NLEN, which has contributed significanly to the expansion of Sweet Beginnings’ production facilities.

Financial Hiring Incentives

When you partner with NLEN, we can help you access a wide range of hiring incentives that best suit your business — and help grow your bottom line.

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

Reduces employers’ tax liability by up to $2,400 to $9,600 per qualifying hire. Under this program, employers can be reimbursed for 100% of the transitional worker wages and employer payroll taxes, including Social Security, Medicare, SUTA (The State Unemployment Tax Act), and FUTE (The Federal Unemployment Tax Act).

Federal Bonding Program

Covers the first six months of a qualifying employee’s employment up to $5,000 with no deductible, and is free of charge to the employer.

Enterprise Zone Job Tax Credit

Allows any employer located in the state of Illinois’ 95 enterprise zones a $500 credit on Illinois income taxes for each hire of an economically disadvantaged individual or dislocated worker.

On-The-Job Training

Employers can get up to 50% reimbursement of a new employee’s wages while they are in training for qualifying jobs.

For more information about subsidized wages for transitional workers, read our Business Solutions Memorandum of Understanding.

Built for opportunity, powered by community.

Step into NLEN’s world-class facility that lifts the spirits of the people it serves.

Jobs Partnership

NLEN is proud to support Good Jobs Chicagoland, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.

Learn more

Let’s work together.

NLEN makes hiring easy, meaningful, and impactful. Join our network of employer partners — including Microsoft, UPS, Wintrust, and Advocate Trinity — and help shape a stronger, more inclusive Chicago workforce.

Complete our interest form or email the Business Solutions Team at info@nlen.org.

Employer Interest Form