LINC (Learn, Innovate, Network and Cultivate)
Archer Daniels Midland Company has established an alternative skills-based program called LINC, which stands for Learn, Innovate, Network, and Cultivate. The program is hosted by its manufacturing locations across the country with the goal to establish partnerships with local educators to create a connection for students from high-school graduation to a career at ADM. The program allows local educators to participate in a job shadowing experience of several areas within ADM’s facilities to learn what skills are needed for the job. The local educators also learn what employees would have found valuable to know upon graduating high school across the opportunities available at ADM. LINC works to bring awareness to the world of modern manufacturing and the many opportunities that exist to have a successful, fulfilling career in this industry.

Aon Apprenticeship Program
As a leader in the effort to address both the skills and the training gap in the insurance and financial services industry, Aon has launched its inaugural U.S. Apprenticeship Program, a two-year program in coordination with City Colleges of Chicago. Apprentices gain professional experience as paid, full-time colleagues while managers cultivate talent suited to Aon’s roles and business objectives. Aon works with City Colleges to train and provide skills the workers of the future need most, thus creating a viable job pathway for students.

Generation
Generation is a youth employment nonprofit with a dual mission to empower young people to build thriving, sustainable careers and to provide employers the highly skilled, motivated talent they need. More than 23,000 young adults have graduated from the Generation program, which prepares young adults for careers in more than 24 professions across nine countries, 90 cities, and 230 locations. Graduates have earned more than $70 million in cumulative salaries, with 82% of them employed within 90 days of completing the program. Generation works with more than 2,500 employer partners and a wide range of implementation partners and funders. The organization was founded as an independent nonprofit by McKinsey & Company in 2014. For more, visit generation.org.

Microsoft Software & Systems Academy
Microsoft Software & Systems Academy (MSSA) provides transitioning service members and veterans with critical career skills required for today’s growing technology industry. Microsoft Software & Systems Academy provides an 18-week (or two 9-week terms) training for high-demand careers in cloud development, cloud administration, cybersecurity administration, or database and business intelligence administration. Program graduates gain an interview for a full-time job at Microsoft or one of our hiring partners.

Workforce 4.0
As Industry 4.0 continues to transform the industrial landscape worldwide, Stanley Black & Decker looks to integrate the transformative power of automation, data analytics, artificial intelligence and digital excellence into its manufacturing processes globally. The company is undertaking a number of efforts to empower employees to embrace cutting-edge technology by creating "smart factories" and promoting innovation in key areas (e.g., additive manufacturing) via startup accelerators. The ultimate goal is to transform its 100+ manufacturing facilities into factories of the future, while empowering employees along the way

Walmart Academies
Walmart has opened nearly 200 Walmart Academies across the U.S. and has trained more than 400,000 associates in critical soft and technical skills to prepare them for new jobs and future advancement.The training also incorporate technology such as handheld devices and virtual reality headsets. The Academies have seen higher retention trends among associates who have completed the training, as well as among the teams they lead.

Insurance Apprenticeship Program
Zurich North America established a first-of-its-kind U.S. apprenticeship program for the insurance industry that builds a talent pipeline for hard-working students who want to succeed in the 21st century economy. It brings entrants of all ages into the insurance industry by offering them a chance to experience it through multiple roles, including cyber security. Participants engage in on-the-job training at Zurich North America's headquarters in Schaumburg, Illinois, and take weekly classes at William Rainey Harper College. Upon completion of the program, each apprentice will have a full-time position at Zurich and be free of college loan debt for their Associates Degree.

Mentor Match
Mentor Match is a platform that pairs participating mentees (junior level employees) with mentors (experienced employees) based on common goals, competencies, and interests using a profile match algorithm. The duration of each mentoring cycle is 6 months and both parties are expected to connect for at least one hour each month. One of the key objectives of the program is to identify competency gaps (i.e., skill areas with particularly high demand for, and potentially low supply of).