RPM Phase One is a historic project that goes beyond modernizing our public transportation system. It will serve as a catalyst to provide equitable opportunity and to develop diverse businesses as CTA works to ensure that the project’s contractors and workforce is as diverse as its customers and the City of Chicago.
Check out some of the RPM Phase One initiatives below.
Workforce development
The CTA RPM team, Walsh-Fluor and the ACE Mentor Program hosted a Trades Day with Chicago Public Schools (CPS), teaching students about how to pursue construction- and engineering-related careers through RPM. Click on the videos below to meet some of our team members and hear what they had to share with our CPS students.
As part of the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) Phase One Project, CTA, Walsh-Fluor, Mayor Lightfoot, Chicago Public Schools and Chicago Scholars created the CTA Elevating Futures Scholarship Fund to provide a path for economically disadvantaged students to pursue STEM careers for engineering and construction-related fields.
Developed in direct response to the COVID-19 pandemic, CTA and its workforce partners have hosted a series of webinars called Construction Talks to connect Chicagoans to training and workforce opportunities in the construction industry. Each webinar provided apprenticeship details and a Q&A portion for attendees to ask questions in real-time. See videos of past Construction Talks.
As part of RPM’s workforce development efforts, early in the RPM project, CTA partnered with Cleanslate, a social enterprise of Cara. Through the partnership, Cleanslate interns provided cleanup services in the RPM Phase One project areas. By working at Cleanslate, and through the support of Cara programs, interns were prepared and inspired to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty, transform their lives, strengthen Chicago communities and develop work habits and skills.
Small and diverse business development
The CTA Building Small Businesses Program was developed to provide financial guidance to small businesses and other Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) by offering direct loan placement and other supports so they can demonstrate the up-front capital needed to compete on large-scale transportation construction and capital programs.
RPM Phase One Workforce Goals
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Goal: 10% of total labor hours. WIOA is a dislocated worker program that offers employment and training services in the construction trades for eligible workers who are currently unemployed.
- RPM Apprentice Goal: 15% of total labor hours.
- Economically Disadvantaged Area Goal: 35% of total labor hours. The creation of the economically disadvantaged area goal will create opportunities for individuals in zip codes where the median income is less than $40,000. See if your zip code qualifies.
SBE/DBE and workforce goals for RPM contractor Walsh-Fluor Design-Build Team
- DBE Goal: 20% design/20% construction
- DBE Commitment: 20.64% design/20% construction
- Workforce Goals (as percentage of labor hours)
- Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) - 10%
- Economically Disadvantaged Areas - 35%
- Union Apprentice - 15%
RPM Phase One Small and Diverse Business Goals
The project goal is to have 20% of contracts with DBEs.
For workforce related inquiries, please email workforceinitiatives@transitchicago.com.
For small business and disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) inquiries, including how to get certified, please email us at diversity@transitchicago.com or call (312) 681-2601.