S.E.E.D.

S.E.E.D. Program OverviewProgram Application Contact

Skills, Empowerment and Economic Development

Northern Illinois Food Bank’s workforce development program, S.E.E.D. (Skills, Empowerment & Economic Development), is a PAID 10-Week Training Program offering adults who are unemployed or underemployed valuable hands-on experience and beneficial certifications to improve employability.

Mission

 

 

Connect neighbors to job training and other services aimed at increasing their employability and attaining sustainability, growth-oriented employment, and to increase their long-term economic self-sufficiency.

 

 

 

Student Profile

 

 

  • Age 25+
  • Experiencing Food Insecurity
  • Unemployed or Underemployed
  • Living in Will County
  • Motivated to Learn
  • New or Experienced in Warehouse Industry

 

S.E.E.D. Program Overview

 

  • In-person Training
  • 10-Week; 6-8 Hour Sessions
  • Paid on-the-job Training
  • Coaching
  • Case Management
  • Job Placement Assistance

*New Sessions Available Quarterly

Program Benefits

 

 

 

  • OSHA 30-hour safety course
  • Forklift Certification
  • ServSafe Food Handler’s Certification
  • Resume writing, interview preparation, and job placement assistance
  • Hands on warehouse experience at 4 different distribution centers
  • Financial Literacy

 

Workforce Development Course Content

 

 

 

 

  • Intro to Warehouse Environment
  • Warehousing and Distribution Process
  • Warehouse Technology Applications
  • Representative Warehouse Applications
  • Intro to Supply Chain Management
  • Financial Literacy

 

Food Insecurity in Will County

 

 

 

  • Food deserts are prevalent in the northern and eastern sections of Will County.
  • Will County has a particularly high population with low food access (31.8%) compared to the state of Illinois (17.39%), coupled with the highest rates of “no motor vehicle” (over 8% in 60433-Joliet).

 

 

Priority Communities

Will County has the highest concentration of temporary employment agencies in the state.

  • Reports estimate that 70% of Chicagoland warehouses employ temporary workers rather than direct hires.
  • Workers report that in suburban Will County, where many warehouses are located, it is impossible to find work anywhere other than at a staffing agency.