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Evanston

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The Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council (MEAC) is a voluntary organization chartered and launched in 2018. It was conceived by the Mayor of the City of Evanston as a way to bring local employers, Evanston Township High School (ETHS), and District 65 middle schools into closer alignment. ETHS graduates approximately 200 students per year who do not go to a four-year college after graduation. MEAC aims to help ensure these students have an attainable plan after high school. MEAC has 156 members representing 91 employers covering all career pathway sectors, six education organizations, including Oakton College, ten local not-for-profit organizations, the City of Evanston, and four local and state politicians. MEAC is currently led by ETHS’s Department of Early College & Career Experiences.

The MEAC goals are to:

  • Develop sustainable career pathways with local partners for ETHS students not planning to attend a four-year college upon graduation.
  • Support career awareness programs in the D65 middle school to promote a successful transition to ETHS.
  • Increase participation in career experiences and access to career opportunities.
  • Continue to build community and business partnerships.

Led By

Mayor’s Employer Advisory Council (MEAC)

Areas of Expertise

  • Employer engagement
  • Work-based learning
  • Convening stakeholders
  • Career readiness

Prioritized Focus Areas

  • Construction
  • Health Sciences
  • IT/Cybersecurity
  • Manufacturing

Key Successes

  • Successfully expanded the ASPIRE Program with Endeavor Health, now operating at Evanston, Skokie, Glenbrook, and Highland Park Hospitals. The program continues to offer fully funded internships and job shadows for ETHS health science students and remains a leading model for school-to-work healthcare pipelines.
  • Completed construction of a new $1.2 million Health Science facility at ETHS to support CNA/BNAT certification upon graduation. Built in partnership with Northwestern Medicine, Endeavor Health, and Oakton College, the facility opened in the 2024–25 school year and provides a direct pipeline to healthcare careers and postsecondary training.
  • Launched the IKIT Cosmetology Academy, a hands-on, cohort-based summer program offering training in hairstyling, skincare, nail care, and salon operations. Over 20 students participated in the first cohort, receiving stipends and real-world experience in the beauty and wellness industry.
  • Implemented the IKIT Spring Break Job Shadow Program, a signature initiative made possible through the EC2C Systems Change Grant.
    • 54 students completed 20–30 hours of job shadowing with professionals in fields such as healthcare, law, education, entrepreneurship, trades, cosmetology, and technology.
    • 51.85% of participants qualified for free or reduced lunch, ensuring equity and access were central to the program’s mission.
    • Students received a stipend, reducing barriers and recognizing their time and commitment.
    • The experience supported students in discovering their “why,” clarifying their postsecondary goals, and increasing confidence in their career identity.
    • This program was a resounding success in engaging students—especially those from under-resourced backgrounds—in meaningful, purpose-driven learning experiences. We are incredibly grateful for the support of EC2C and look forward to growing this model in future cycles.
  • Strengthened and sustained student pipeline programs with key local employers: S&C Electric (Manufacturing) and The Mather (Senior Living – “Evolve” Program).
  • Coordinated student interviews with Northwestern Medicine for acceptance into their Nursing Apprenticeship Program, offering ETHS students access to clinical experience, mentorship, and a structured healthcare career pathway.
  • Hosted the second annual Aviation Career Day, drawing 1,200+ students, educators, and industry professionals, and expanding awareness of aerospace and engineering careers.
  • Grew MEAC employer membership by 40% (from 65 to 91 employers).
  • Expanded the ETHS Paid Spring Break Job Shadow Program, serving 54 students across diverse industries. All participants earned stipends and a certificate of completion.
  • Continued collaboration with the City of Evanston’s Workforce Development Department, supporting ETHS alumni to serve job-seeking Evanston residents aged 18+.

2-Year Goals

  • Expand field-based learning through MEAC partnerships by offering at least seven ETHS student field trips annually, aligned with high-growth career pathway clusters.
  • Launch the State-approved Learn-and-Earn Apprenticeship Program, partnering with employers in healthcare, trades, and IT to offer students structured, paid pathways leading to both workforce credentials and college credit.
  • Grow job shadow participation to 70+ students, with a continued focus on equity, access, and exposure across all career clusters.
  • Collaborate with the Northwestern University Stadium Redevelopment Project, an $800 million union-led construction project, to create workforce pipelines for ETHS students:
    • Host two union trade career events at ETHS.
    • Partner with Turner Construction and subcontractors to develop pre-apprenticeship training for students entering the workforce directly.
  • Establish an internship curriculum pilot in partnership with the ETHS Arts & Innovation Department to formalize a pathway based on student interest and the success of Career Day.
  • Expand the IKIT Academy model beyond cosmetology and spring break into additional industries such as trades, digital media, business, and technology; offering training, stipends, and mentorship within a structured academy format.
  • Support the continued growth of the City of Evanston’s Workforce CONNECT platform by integrating more student and alumni users into SchooLinks, expanding partnerships, and promoting access to high-quality employment and career navigation for underserved populations.

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Network Organizers: Advance Illinois, Education Systems Center at Northern Illinois University, and the Illinois Student Assistance Commission