ABOUT

GWTP is a non-profit corporation organized to expand economic and educational opportunities for low- income residents of the West Town, Humboldt Park, and near West Side community areas.

The Greater West Town Training Partnership (GWTP) is a subsidiary organization established by Greater West Town Community Development Project (GWTCDP) to operate the agency's vocational training programs: Woodworkers and Shipping & Receiving.

The Project is a community-based venture created by community leaders recognizing the priority of establishing effective employment/training, educational and economic development programs to address the community's chronic social problems: dropouts, gangs, drugs, violent crime, illiteracy and family instability.

HOW DID THE SHIPPING & RECEIVING TRAINING PROGRAM COME ABOUT?
The Shipping & Receiving Training Program developed from a partnership between the City of Chicago Department of Planning & Development and GWTP.

GWTP's research, based on surveys of local employers, economic development experts, and workers, revealed that the lack of qualified shipping & receiving personnel is a serious need for local industry.

A review of job orders over the past several years shows that shipping & receiving tasks are becoming more technically sophisticated. Local companies are seeking better educated and trained candidates.

There will be an average of approximately 2,400 annual job openings in shipping & receiving and related occupations in Cook County, according to a study published by the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES).

Interviews with local employers have shown strong interest and support for the creation of a shipping & receiving training program in our area. There are none locally or citywide.

Based on information from local employers, trained, entry-level shipping & receiving workers earn a competitive starting wage with good benefits. They have excellent career advancement potential.

MISSION

GWTP's mission is to develop model programs and policy initiatives linking the employment and training of the neighborhood workforce with local economic development efforts and the needs of small and mid- sized employers. The first Shipping & Receiving class began in February of 1996 and graduated the following June. Since then, sixty-five classes have graduated.