Training

Idalia Andrade pursued a degree in liberal arts, but after graduating she felt burnt out from the education industry and started a new career path in hospitality. The change reenergized Idalia because she likes to help people and she enjoyed…

When Keith Tody began looking for employment at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic he attended a fair at Truman College on Chicago’s north side. There, he met Elliott Esparza from National Able Network (Able), who told Keith about IT…

Jeremy Leeper had always wanted to obtain his Commercial Drivers License (CDL), but he was afraid that some past issues with the law would prevent him from achieving that goal. “Like most human beings I have a somewhat rocky background,”…

Steven Scholtes had always dreamed of working in the information technology (IT) industry, but for years he worked in the retail and restaurant industries to get by. That didn’t last. “I had a job dishwashing and cooking in a restaurant,…

Jonathan Clark had been searching for career direction for quite some time. “Before coming to National Able Network I was struggling trying to get a normal job and trying to get in school, so I could have a career,” says…

When most people think of an “apprenticeship,” they tend to think about industries, like construction or manufacturing. And while these industries certainly use apprentices, the apprenticeship model can also be adapted successfully into other sectors, like information technology (IT). Under…

For 20 years, Tonya Manning had the same goal – she wanted to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Although financial hardships, and life changes were thrown her way – she kept her eyes on her goal. As she attended…

Karen Merwick worked at the Tribune Company for 21 years in various capacities. In 2010, Karen was working as a pre-press technician when she was laid off. She quickly jumped into job search mode, but after four years of working…

Andrea DeBerry, an experienced program professional, found herself burnt out and seeking a career change. She connected with National Able Network to determine what path she would choose for her new career. Upon applying for and being accepted into the…

This year marks the five-year anniversary of the enactment of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, popularly known as WIOA. WIOA has helped hundreds of thousands of Americans find stable, fulfilling, and long-term employment, and has helped employers find passionate,…

Robert Amaya, a Chicago native, joined the U.S. Navy right after high school. Throughout his nine-year career in the Navy, Robert worked as a diesel engine mechanic, lead instructor, and maintenance manager which lead to careers in facilities management and…

Shelia Lathion began her 30-year career at Xerox as a customer service representative in the 1980s. Through experience, know-how and hard work, she worked her way through the ranks becoming a Project Manager in 2008 and a Strategic Project Program…