Congressman Krishnamoorthi Visits HIRE360 Facility to Highlight Career Training, Workforce Development, and Green Economy Jobs

CHICAGO – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) toured the HIRE360 Workforce Development & Green Economy Training Facility in Chicago’s South Loop, meeting with students, instructors, labor leaders, and contractors to discuss how career and technical education (CTE) is creating pathways to high-quality jobs across Illinois. The visit included stops in active classrooms, discussions with industry partners, and a tour of the solar training facility, which prepares workers for one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries.

In 2022, Congressman Krishnamoorthi secured $1 million in federal community project funding to help complete the HIRE360 facility, which now provides training, mentorship, and job placement services in more than 20 high-demand trades.

“HIRE360 shows what’s possible when government, labor, and private industry work together to open doors for working families and strengthen our economy,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “I’m proud to have secured $1 million to complete this facility and authored the law delivering $1.4 billion annually for career and technical education nationwide. CTE isn’t just about skills; it’s about pathways to good-paying jobs, long-term careers, and an economy that works for all Americans.”

"Thanks to Congressman Krishnamoorthi's leadership, our facility is a launchpad for careers in high-demand industries," Jay Rowell, Executive Director of HIRE360, said. "By connecting workers to training, mentorship, and real job opportunities, we're ensuring that communities across Illinois can access the good-paying, sustainable careers that will shape our economy for decades to come."

A longtime champion of CTE, Congressman Krishnamoorthi authored the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, a bipartisan law that reformed CTE programs for the first time in over a decade and secured nearly $1.4 billion annually to support workforce training nationwide.

HIRE360’s facility hosts pre-apprenticeship training programs, including those under the Illinois Works and CEJA initiatives, and features classrooms, networking areas, and dedicated spaces for skills practice — all designed to equip residents with the certifications and experience needed for lasting careers in construction, clean energy, and related industries.