ABOUT TALENT SOLUTIONS CONNECTOR
Talent Solutions Connector was launched November 2, 2021 – Watch the event!
Our History
The Talent Solutions Connector is one of the earliest projects of the Network for Employer-led Workforce Solutions (NEWS). Many employer tables throughout the Chicagoland area have informal methods for employers to share talent solution resources and services with their peers. However, there was no consistent method for capturing , maintaining, and sharing this information. The Talent Solutions Connector was created to allow employers to share their positive experiences with the talent solutions providers and make new connections to services already available in the region. Built for employers, by employers, the Talent Solutions Connector helps employers find, train, and retain the talent that will propel their business to success.
The creation of the Talent Solutions Connector was made possible by the collaborative work of Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance, Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development, Origami Works Foundation, and an engaged group of employers. Keeping the employers' needs and perspective at the center of all work, the Talent Solutions Connector has gone through multiple iterations to create an intuitive tool that connects employers with the services they need. The connections made through the Talent Solutions Connector will foster strong, resilient, diverse, sustainable talent pools that are mutually beneficial for employers and workers.
Talent Solutions Connector is part of a broader support structure to address the biggest workforce challenges. Chicagoland CareerPathways is the region's only 100% free directory of low-barrier career training programs and offers unique career exploration and planning tools to support anyone looking to jump-start or level up their career. Additionally, program providers and workforce funders can connect (for free!) through CareerPathways' events and tools. To learn more about Chicagoland CareerPathways, visit their website or reach out to their team directly.
NEWS
The Network for Employer-led Workforce Solutions (NEWS) strives to link employer partnerships in the Chicagoland area. NEWS does this by promoting the value of employer collaboration on shared workforce challenges and providing tools that facilitate employers connecting with other employers and community resources. Facilitated by Chicagoland Workforce Funder Alliance and the Cook County’s Bureau of Economic Development, NEWS is a hub for inter-group networking and resource development.
NEWS aims to foster an ecosystem of employer collaboration by linking Sector Partnerships and other employer tables together. All NEWS members believe employer participation in workforce development is a necessary condition of business success at both the individual and sector level, and it is critical to sustainable and equitable economic development. NEWS is grounded in the belief that collaboration between employers can create benefits for employers, workers, and communities.
Talent Solutions Connector Advisory Committee
We are committed to building out a Talent Solutions Connector focused on solving the most important workforce problems Employers are facing. As such, we have a group of experienced individuals across highly-committed employers, providers and other workforce entities, actively participating on our Advisory Committee to guide a strategy that brings awareness to the site, builds a rich and informative directory of services, promotes collaboration across Employers and Providers, and ensures the product fosters connections between employers and the many available workforce services.
How To Use This Site
The Talent Solutions Connector has many features that allow you to learn about the workforce system and connect with the services you need. These tutorials are designed to help you get the most out of the Talent Solutions Connector.
Do not see what you need?
Service Providers
The Talent Solutions Connector is only as good as the services listed on the site. Being listed in the Talent Solutions Connector will help you connect with employers. It is completely free to be listed in the Talent Solutions Connector. If you meet the requirements listed below, click here to submit your service to the directory administrators.
Inclusion Criteria
The Talent Solutions Connector is focused on providing workforce services to employers. Listed services must work directly with the employer to assist with their needs related to hiring, training, or retaining employees. This can range from sourcing candidates, to helping set up an employer-run transportations plan, to providing training on best DEI practices. Services that help employers connect with their peers to learn about best workforce practices can also be listed in the Talent Solutions Connector.
Service providers must commit to maintaining complete information on the site. A service provider’s entry will not be published until deemed substantially complete by the Talent Solutions Connector Team. Once published, providers are expected to log in to confirm and update their information every six months.
Employer endorsements are a vital part of allowing employers to share with their peers. While the Talent Solutions Connector Team is here to help, service providers are ultimately responsible for reaching out to employers they previously worked with to get employer endorsements. Within six months of being listed in the Talent Solutions Connector, a service provider must have at least one endorsement for each individually listed service or program in order to be included in the directory.
Currently, the Talent Solutions Connector is limited to Cook County. All listed services must serve employers in some portion of Cook County.
Organizations and programs must receive partial funding or in-kind support from a governmental or philanthropic source.