Tech training hub Xchange Chicago opens Greater Grand Crossing facility

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Chicago's Nonprofit Tech Hub Opens $20 Million Training Facility on South Side

The city of Chicago has officially launched its latest tech training initiative, Xchange Chicago, which is set to provide job training and placement services to residents on the South Side. The nonprofit organization has opened a new 28,000-square-foot facility in Greater Grand Crossing, where it will offer training programs in IT skills such as software development, cybersecurity, and infrastructure management.

According to Mayor Brandon Johnson, Xchange Chicago has already made significant strides in creating dynamic career pathways for over 50 South Side residents since its inception. "Training and support from our partners are helping to build a stronger Chicago and paving the way for thousands of life-changing technology jobs here on the South Side," he said during Monday's opening ceremony.

The hub's training program, which ranges in duration from 8 to 18 weeks, is designed specifically for residents of South Side neighborhoods. It focuses on equipping them with the skills needed to secure IT jobs, many of which currently pay upwards of $50,000 per year. This summer, Xchange won a $500,000 prize sponsored by the Walton Family Foundation and the Siegel Family Endowment, and in 2023, it received a $5 million grant from the city of Chicago to help build the new facility.

According to Hardik Bhatt, CEO of SDI Presence, which is headquartered in the Loop and serves as the hub's anchor tenant, artificial intelligence is not eliminating IT jobs. Instead, Xchange's training program helps people use AI in tech roles, highlighting the need for skilled professionals with hands-on experience.

Commercial tenants leasing space at the new facility include the United Way of Metro Chicago and CMB Catering, while philanthropies and private sector companies have stepped up to fill funding gaps left by federal grants. "We are opening up real, life-changing opportunities in technology fields from AI to cloud computing and cybersecurity for residents," said Brad Henderson, CEO of P33.

With over 400 people on its waitlist, there is indeed "huge demand" for Xchange's training program, according to Bhatt. The hub's trainees range in age from 18 to 55, and the organization aims to place at least 100 apprentices in jobs next year.
 
Yaaas, another fancy tech lab opens up on the South Side 🤩. I mean, who doesn't love a good $20 million training facility? It's not like there are already plenty of resources available for people looking to get into tech... but hey, 400 people waiting in line is a great sign, right? 😂 And let's be real, it's not like the city is just throwing money at this initiative because they want to make headlines. Nope, it's all about providing "life-changing opportunities" for residents 🙄. I'm sure the $50,000+ IT jobs will really make a difference in people's lives... meanwhile, let's hope those commercial tenants don't overcharge us for their "real" office space 💸
 
idk if this is a good use of $20 million... like, how many ppl r really gonna get jobz outta it? sounds like more like a PR stunt 2 me 🤑. also, 28k sq ft facility on the south side? that's a lot of space 4 just training programs... where's the rest of the funding goin'? wanna know what kinda 'life-changing tech jobs' we r talkin about payin' $50k+... seems like that's just a fancy way of sayin' entry-level jobz 💸
 
Wow 👍 this is so cool! Chicago's new nonprofit tech hub, Xchange Chicago, sounds like an amazing resource for people on the South Side 🤝. I'm interested how they're using AI training to help people get into IT jobs, it makes total sense 🤖. The fact that over 400 people are waiting to join is a testament to its popularity 💻. Can't wait to see the impact this hub has on the community 🎉!
 
🤩 this is so cool! finally some real change happening in chicago, i was talking to my cousin who lives on the south side and they were saying there's so much unemployment and lack of opportunities, it's like a waste of talent. but now with xchange chicago, things are looking up 🌞 and its awesome that the city is investing $20 million into this project, it'll be great for those young ppl trying to get a foothold in the tech industry 💻💸
 
I'm low-key disappointed that it's taking a nonprofit org like this to create a proper tech training facility on the South Side 🤔. Like, why can't the city just provide resources for these kinds of programs? I mean, we're already spending millions on fancy facilities and hiring CEOs from other companies to run them... shouldn't some of that money be going towards actual community development?

And let's be real, a $500k prize from the Walton Family Foundation is cool and all, but what about the people who can't just "win" their way into the tech industry? It feels like the system is still pretty stacked against folks who aren't already connected.
 
🤔 "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." 💡 It's awesome to see a new non-profit tech hub opening up opportunities for people on the South Side of Chicago! $20 million is a huge investment, and it's great that there are 400 people already waiting for training. With programs like Xchange, we can help bridge the gap between those who want to learn IT skills and those who need them in their community 💻👍
 
I'm thinking about this... Chicago's new tech training facility is a game-changer for the South Side 🤔... but what does it really mean to 'change lives' with technology? Is it just about getting a high-paying job, or is it about empowerment and community building? I mean, what if these trainees become leaders in their own right, not just workers in the tech industry? The hub's focus on AI and cybersecurity feels like a step in the right direction, but are we preparing people for an economy that's increasingly automated? 🤖
 
OMG 🤯, I'm like totally stoked about this new training facility opening up on the South Side of Chicago! $20 million is no joke 💸, they're seriously investing in people's future careers. I mean, think about it, we're living in an era where tech jobs are getting so popular and paying upwards of $50k+ per year 🤑... it's like, a total game-changer for those who want to level up their skills.

But here's the thing, I feel like this initiative is more than just about job training - it's also about community building 🤝. The fact that they're partnering with local organizations and businesses shows that they care about creating opportunities for folks in underserved neighborhoods. It's like, a win-win situation all around!

And yeah, AI is not replacing IT jobs 🙅‍♂️... it's more about learning how to work alongside these new technologies. I mean, it's like what Marty McFly said in Back to the Future - " Roads? Where we're going, we don't need roads"... but for tech professionals, we do need skilled folks who can navigate this changing landscape! 😂
 
omg u gotta love the city of chicago takin care of its own 🤗 like, xchange chicago is literally providin job training and placement services to residents on the south side, and it's already made a diff with over 50 ppl gettin trained and placed in tech jobs 💼📈 i mean, $20 million facility is no joke, but hey, who needs all that cash when u can give ppl the skills they need 2 secure life-changin tech jobs 🤑 and brad henderson's right, ai ain't eliminatin IT jobs, its just changin the landscape 🤖📈 so let's keep it movin and support xchange chicago as they continue to make strides in buildin a stronger chicago 💪
 
I gotta say, this sounds like a solid move by Chicago! Creating a $20 million training facility on the South Side is definitely a step in the right direction. I'm all for giving people the skills they need to get into those high-paying tech jobs. The fact that it's already helped over 50 residents since its inception is pretty impressive.

However, I gotta be real with you...$20 million does seem like a pretty big investment, especially when considering the current economic climate. How are we sure this isn't just another band-aid on an ailing system? And what about the long-term effects of relying so heavily on federal grants and philanthropic funding? We need to make sure that our city's infrastructure is sustainable in the long run.

Still, I'm glad to see organizations like Xchange Chicago stepping up to provide training programs for residents. It's not a silver bullet, but it's definitely a start. Let's just hope they're doing everything they can to ensure these trainees are set up for success... 💻👍
 
I don’t usually comment but I think it’s really cool that they’re setting up this training facility on the South Side of Chicago 🤩. It’s been a while since we've seen something like this happen, and it shows that people actually care about giving back to their community. The fact that it's non-profit means it can focus more on the actual training rather than just making a profit, which is awesome 👏. I mean, $50,000 per year for an IT job? That’s pretty good money! 🤑
 
🤔 I just read about this new $20 million training facility on Chicago's South Side and it got me thinking... all these initiatives are like a big puzzle 🧩, right? They're trying to create job pathways for people who don't have the skills or experience yet. And yeah, Xchange Chicago is definitely doing something good here - 400 people on their waitlist? That just shows how much people need this kind of support! 💼

But you know what's even more interesting? The fact that artificial intelligence isn't actually taking all these IT jobs away like some people thought 🤖. Instead, it's just making us realize we need to be better at using AI in tech roles. So, the key takeaway here is: adaptability and being open to new things is crucial in today's world 💻.

And let's not forget about community support - all these commercial tenants and philanthropies are stepping up to fill funding gaps? That just goes to show that when we work together 🤝, amazing things can happen! So, it's time for us all to take a cue from Xchange Chicago and see how we can use our skills and resources to make a positive impact in our own communities 💕.
 
I don’t usually comment but I think it’s awesome that they’re setting up a tech hub on the South Side. Like, Chicago needs more opportunities for people who want to get into tech without having to move to other cities 🤩. And $20 million is a decent amount of money to put towards training and job placement – it shows that the city is serious about helping its residents level up their skills. I also love that they’re not just teaching programming languages, but also how to use AI in tech roles... that's super relevant for the industry right now 📈. Plus, with over 400 people on the waitlist, this is definitely going to have a positive impact on the community 💻.
 
omg u guys!! 🤯 so like chicago just opened this huge tech training facility on the south side for $20 million!!! 💸 it's literally 28k sq ft and they're offering programs in software dev, cybersecurity, and infrastructure management... that's some serious skills right there! 😎 i'm not surprised tho cuz mayor brandon johnson said they already helped like 50 ppl get jobs since launch 🚀 and the best part? it's all for under $50k/year 💸 now i know what u're thinking... "is ai gonna replace all these jobs?" 🤖 actually no! according to hardik bhatt, ceo of sdipresence, xchange's training program is all about teachin ppl how to use ai in tech roles so they can stay relevant 🤓 this is def a game changer for the south side 🌆
 
OMG, I'm so hyped about this new tech training facility opening up on the South Side of Chicago! 🤩 It's literally amazing that they're providing job training and placement services to residents there, especially with a focus on IT skills like software development, cybersecurity, and infrastructure management. The fact that it's already helped over 50 people find jobs is super inspiring! 💼 And I love how they're not just teaching people about AI, but also how to use it in real-life tech roles, you know? 🤖 It's so cool that they have a waitlist of over 400 people, that means there are actually lots of people who want this training and are eager to learn new skills. I'm totally rooting for them! 😊
 
The more I think about it 🤔... Chicago is trying to give people on the South Side a leg up 💪 by creating this training facility. It's all about equipping them with skills that will help them get good-paying tech jobs. I'm glad to see the city and private companies investing in something like this 🤑. It's not a silver bullet, but it's a start. And hey, if AI is making IT jobs more needed, then Xchange Chicago is on the right track 💻. Let's hope they can place most of their apprentices in good-paying gigs by next year 🤞
 
im loving this new initiative 🤩 they gotta get more ppl involved in tech tho its like we still havent figured out how 2 use all these cool gadgets 📱🖥️ i mean 20 million dolla training facility is a pretty good start but we need more of dis 💸 hopefully xchange chicago can keep up w/ demand & provide jobs 4 ppl on the south side 👍
 
I think this is a huge step forward for Chicago's South Side! A $20 million facility that offers training programs in IT skills like software dev, cybersecurity, and infrastructure management? It's amazing to see how Xchange Chicago is addressing the tech talent gap on the South Side 🤩.

The fact that they're focusing on equipping residents with skills that pay upwards of $50k per year is a game-changer. I mean, think about it - we're living in a world where AI and automation are changing the job landscape so fast, but people still need to be able to work with tech tools and systems to stay relevant 🤖.

What's really impressive is that Xchange Chicago is not just training people for short-term gigs; they're building dynamic career pathways that can lead to long-term employment. And with over 400 people on the waitlist, it's clear that there's a huge demand for these kinds of programs 📈.

It's also great to see how philanthropies and private sector companies are stepping up to support Xchange Chicago. This is exactly what we need - more funding and resources being invested in initiatives that can create positive change in communities like the South Side 💼.

Overall, I think this is a huge win for Chicago and its residents. Let's keep supporting initiatives like Xchange Chicago that can help bridge the tech skills gap and create opportunities for everyone! 🌟
 
just saw this about xchange chicago... think its awesome they're tackling the lack of tech skills on the south side. $20 million is a huge investment but it's only gonna make a difference if ppl actually show up for these programs 🤞. hope the training focuses on more than just AI, that's not exactly a skill that's gonna pay the bills in 5 yrs. need to see some tangible results from this org, not just buzzwords about "life-changing opportunities"
 
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