LWIA 7 Workforce System Partner Meeting Recap

Written By Marketing Team

One-Stop Operator Updates

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the June 2026 Systemwide Meeting. ScaleLIT, as the One-Stop Operator (OSO) serving Local Workforce Innovation Area (LWIA) 7 through the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, hosts these quarterly gatherings to share American Job Center updates, highlight workforce initiatives, and strengthen coordination across our regional workforce system.

This quarter’s meeting took place in person at Harper College Wojcik Conference Center and brought together workforce partners from across the AJC network to exchange updates, share promising practices, and strengthen collaboration across the workforce system.

During the meeting, the OSO team shared highlights from the June 2026 Systemwide Update, covering activity from the third quarter of Program Year 2026. The update outlined key developments across the network, including:

  • Continued technical assistance and center-level meetings across the four Comprehensive American Job Centers

  • Ongoing growth of the Disco learning and collaboration platform, which now includes 353 workforce partners across LWIA 7, with 48 new partners joining during the last quarter

  • New Disco features and resources, including a custom survey request link and a shared partner events calendar

  • Continued support for Airtable onboarding and referral coordination across workforce partners

  • Strong customer satisfaction results, including a Net Promoter Score of 9.57 out of 10 for onsite services and 9.07 out of 10 for workshops

  • Access to updated quarterly materials and workforce system resources through Disco

The quarterly Systemwide Update also includes information on OSO meetings, communications, partner engagement opportunities, referral system improvements, and workforce system resources available to partners throughout Cook County.

Cross-Training Spotlight: The Impact of AI in the Workforce

A highlight of the meeting was our Cross-Training Spotlight panel, which explored the growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on workforce development, job seekers, employers, and workforce-serving organizations.

As AI continues to reshape industries and workplace practices, workforce partners have an important role to play in helping job seekers develop the skills and knowledge needed to navigate emerging technologies while supporting employers as they adapt to a rapidly changing labor market.

We were pleased to welcome the following panelists:

The discussion was moderated by Michael Thompson, Project Director, Bureau of Economic Development, who guided a conversation on the opportunities, challenges, and implications of AI across workforce systems and industries.

Pictured, from left to right: Michael Matos, Kyla Williams Tate, Sasha Ongtengco, Annabel Hasty, and Michael Thompson

Panelists emphasized that artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how organizations operate, how workers perform their jobs, and how workforce systems prepare individuals for future opportunities. Moderator Michael Thompson framed the conversation by highlighting the growing role of AI across industries and the importance of balancing innovation with workforce readiness. He underscored the need for collaboration among workforce, education, government, and community partners to help individuals adapt to emerging technologies and navigate an increasingly AI-driven economy.

Panelists also shared examples of how AI is being utilized across their respective sectors. Michael Matos of scaleLIT discussed how employers are adopting AI tools to improve efficiency, automate routine tasks, and streamline operations. He emphasized the importance of workforce upskilling, AI literacy, and helping workers develop the skills needed to adapt to changing workplace demands. Kyla Williams-Tate of Cook County Government highlighted the importance of digital equity, AI governance, and responsible technology use, stressing the need for strong digital literacy foundations, community education, and policies that help protect residents as AI becomes more widely adopted.

Annabel Hasty of Harper College shared information about AI training opportunities and the importance of preparing learners for an evolving workforce. She discussed educational resources available to students and job seekers while emphasizing the value of building foundational digital skills before advancing into AI-specific learning. Sasha Ongtengco of Arts Alliance Illinois discussed how nonprofit organizations and small businesses are beginning to leverage AI tools to support operations, communications, and organizational efficiency. She highlighted the importance of thoughtful implementation and ensuring workers remain prepared as technology continues to evolve.

Throughout the discussion, panelists reiterated the importance of digital literacy, responsible AI adoption, workforce upskilling, and cross-sector collaboration to ensure individuals can successfully adapt to technological change and access emerging opportunities in the future workforce.

 

Recognizing Partner Excellence

In addition to the panel discussion, we celebrated several partners for their outstanding contributions to collaboration, customer service, and workforce system engagement during Program Year 2026 Quarter 3.

Thank you to these partners for helping strengthen service delivery, collaboration, and customer experience throughout the LWIA 7 workforce system.

 

Resources and Materials: Access the Quarterly Update

The June 2026 Systemwide Update brochure, including detailed metrics, resources, and partner tools, is available for partners to review and download. All quarterly materials are also available through Disco, the LWIA 7 learning and collaboration platform.

Click here to download the presentation and review the updates shared

 

Stay Connected

If you have questions or would like to follow up with the OSO Team, please reach out:

  • AJC in Wheeling: mandeep@scalelit.org

  • AJC in Pilsen: germania@scalelit.org

  • AJC at Prairie State College: candace@scalelit.org

  • AJC at the King Center: carla@scalelit.org

Our next systemwide meeting will be held in September. If you would like to propose topics, share resources, or provide feedback for future meetings, please reach out to the OSO Team.

Thank you again for your continued partnership and commitment to strengthening workforce access and opportunity across Chicago and suburban Cook County.

Contact the OSO team directly: oso@scalelit.org

 
Marketing Team
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