The Innovation Nexus

Cook County's collaboratively owned home for workforce and career education technology

our mission

We bring together the workforce development, business, and career education ecosystems in Cook County to create innovative, tech-driven solutions for shared challenges.

our structure

Independently managed. Collectively owned.

Nexus members include stakeholders from across workforce development, business, and education. Membership is free, and only requires (1) a shared commitment to economic equity in Cook County and (2) a readiness to collaborate on exciting tech-driven projects to further that goal.

While Nexus projects are member-led, Nexus staff builds and maintains shared projects independently, ensuring members' time is used effectively. We seek to bolster the ecosystem's collective capacity, not strain it.

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our approach

Collaboration at every step

Ideation

Our projects respond to the needs that our members identify. Members come from many diverse perspectives in workforce development, business, and education with unique expertise that drives our project planning.

Creation

After brainstorming with our members, Nexus staff creates an accessible, unique tech platform founded on member needs and feedback. We continuously meet with our expert members (including users!) to ensure we're on the right track.

Maintenance

After launching a new project, Nexus staff work daily to keep the platform current. As we continue to develop our shared project, we return regularly to our members for guidance, never losing sight of the project's many owners.

our projects

Free and open online resources for Cook County

The two main projects hosted and maintained by the Nexus in collaboration with Nexus members include Chicagoland CareerPathways and Talent Solutions Connector.

While these platforms serve different audiences — CareerPathways serves young adults, adult career-seekers and -changers, and their guides, while Talent Solutions Connector serves employers — both are free, open, accessible online directories that compile and share valuable information about our ecosystem and respond to gaps identified by Nexus members.