OUR PROGRAMS

Craft Your Path

Craft Your Path is dedicated to equipping young individuals with the skills and confidence needed for successful employment. Through hands-on training and mentorship, we pave the way for brighter futures in the workforce.

Empowering the next generation

Craft Your Path is designed for young people ages 18-24 who are seeking employment and career development opportunities, and are not in school. The program’s goal is to equip young individuals with essential job skills and readiness, while connecting participants to meaningful employment opportunities, especially in emerging careers in healthcare, hospitality, skilled trades, and transportation, distribution and logistics. Our program focuses on fostering confidence and providing resources for successful employment.

Craft Your Path participants must:

Be between the ages of 18-24
Not currently attending school
Attend an NLEN information session
Commit to our job-readiness program and work-based learning

GET STARTED

Ready to Craft
Your Path?

The first step in Crafting Your Path is to fill out the NLEN Interest Form to tell us a little about yourself.

Start your Interest Form

Program features

Design the path that works for you.

No matter what you've experienced before you walk through our doors, you have the power to Craft Your Path to a bright and prosperous future. We are committed to partnering with you on this journey to help you achieve the vision you have established for yourself, your family, and your community.

Enroll today

Comprehensive Job Readiness

Receive essential training to succeed in your job search and in the workplace.

Work-Based Learning

You’ll be paired with paid work-based learning experiences that complement the skills you’ll learn in our classrooms, to help build your professional networks.

Mentorship

Professional mentorship and coaching to support your career path and professional goals.

Wraparound Services

Connections to essential support services including housing support, child care assistance programs, and nutrition support programs.

$8,000 Education Award

Each participant receives an $8,000 education award, which will be used to obtain key training credentials at local community colleges and trade schools.

Access to our Alumni Network

Connect with program graduates, NLEN mentors, and our entire network of supporters cheering you on toward success.

Steps towards your
new career

Information Session Offered Mondays at 10 a.m. and Thursdays at 12 p.m. Learn more >
Interest Form & Personal Assessment Schedule your assestment just after information session
Craft Your Path begins! Enroll with the next available training session
Program length Depends on the program training selected
Milestone Graduation Ceremony Invite your friends, family, and supporters to celebrate your new path!
Professional Headshot Complimentary at the time of your graduation

CRAFT YOUR PATH

Life after the program

As a graduate of Craft Your Path, you will always have access to NLEN’s services such as resume building, interview preparation, wrap around support, and effective job search strategies. Join us to gain the confidence and tools you need to secure your dream job.

Upon graduation, you’re eligible for a number of opportunities, including:

Job placement with major employers across the City of Chicago
Enrollment in Moving Forward, NLEN’s customized skills training program for transportation, distribution, and logistics
Opportunity to enroll in WIOA-funded programs for continued career development
One-on-one support from NLEN’s Client Solutions Specialists to help navigate job searches and professional growth
Continued financial coaching and wrap around services through the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC) to improve credit, build savings, and plan for financial success
Invitations to NLEN networking events, job fairs, and professional development workshops