Through Hyatt Thrive, our corporate responsibility platform, Hyatt works with our local associates to find impactful contributions – both in funds and manpower – that make a difference in each local community where Hyatt hotels operate. Chicago is a special place for us because it's our hometown. In addition to our global headquarters being here, the Chicago area is also home to nine Hyatt-branded hotels. That makes for many Hyatt associates in the Windy City.

We are proud to be a part of City College of Chicago's College to Careers initiative new phase, just announced today. The goal of the program, initially launched in December, is to train Chicagoans for careers in high-demand industries by aligning each industry with one or more of the city's community colleges. We are thankful the culinary and hospitality field continues to provide local career opportunities. That's why we've signed on to help the program and Kennedy-King College on curriculum development, internship opportunities, and training necessary for our industry.

"There are nearly 100,000 jobs in our region going unfilled because many able Chicagoans lack the skills for these positions and the education system hadn't kept pace with workplace demands – until now," said Cheryl Hyman, chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago. "City Colleges offers every Chicagoan affordable means of building the skills employers seek or getting ready for a bachelor's degree elsewhere while saving $40,000 in tuition."

College to Careers is a natural fit for Hyatt given our leaders' industry expertise and the alignment with the Education & Personal Advancement and Economic Development & Investment pillars of Hyatt Thrive. With the right training, certifications and skills, we will help fill the skill gaps and ensure students have all they need to seize jobs in our industry, particularly in management positions.

For more information about College to Careers and other industries involved, visit http://www.ccc.edu/menu/pages/college-to-careers.aspx.