New South Side facility offers IT training, jobs

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Now that a new apprentice center has opened, some envision a future where information technology jobs aren't sent overseas but are on Chicago's South Side.

The official opening of Xchange in Chicago's Grand Crossing neighborhood brought out elected officials, tech executives and community members Monday morning.

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"As our economy shifts, it's imperative that we shift along with it. And this new development does just that because it provides more than just space for apprenticeship, but it has the opportunity to bring tech jobs to the community," Mayor Brandon Johnson said.

Xchange is a tech training center and offers jobs.

The call center takes calls from city employees with IT questions. Ashburn resident Re'Nisha Conner says it's a job with career growth potential for her.

"It helps a lot by leading the way for me to make a bigger and brighter future for us," Conner said.

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Xchange had its first class of apprentices a year and a half ago. Some shared the impact, as they now have jobs in the tech industry.

"This apprenticeship has been everything for me from day one; I knew I wanted to work in cyber-security, but I didn't know how I would get there," Lonimarie Futrell said.

"When our communities, our great city institutions and neighborhoods align together, we don't just build buildings. We build generational opportunities," said Olu Olaleye, associate director of strategic development and operations for Xchange Chicago.

Fifty five apprentices are currently enrolled.

From there, they may work at Xchange or another tech job.

"It opens up so many doors. With tech and coding and being a developer, you're able to branch off into different sectors," apprentice Paige Wilson-Coleman said.

"I think it will inspire them more to want to come into these jobs. 'Oh, they have a whole life set up for me. So, let me see what this is about,'" said Sam Binion, with Operation Neighborhood Safety.

Xchange is located at 7247 S. Chicago Ave., just south of the Comer Education Campus.

Comer is among the partners that aim to bring more opportunities to the South Side with Xchange.