Building Bridges from Classrooms to Careers: CISCO Launches its Bridge Initiative

January 28, 2026

CISCO announces launch of its Bridge Initiative program, connecting students, schools and Unions to strengthen Chicagoland’s workforce.

BURR RIDGE – CISCO has long believed that strong communities are built by strong connections — between education and opportunity, talent and training, and students and sustainable careers. In 2026, that belief takes shape in a powerful new way with the launch of the CISCO Bridge Initiative (CBI), a bold workforce development program designed to connect classrooms directly to Union construction careers across Chicagoland.

Rooted in CISCO’s commitment to equity, access, and high-quality career pathways, the Bridge Initiative strengthens the education-to-careers pipeline by forming intentional, long-term partnerships with schools. Through these partnerships, CISCO creates meaningful exposure to the Union construction trades — careers offering stability, dignity, and long-term growth — while meeting students where they are and supporting them every step of the way.

At its core, the Bridge Initiative is about possibility. By adopting partner schools, CISCO fosters bridges between students and industry mentors, educators and Union leaders, and communities and opportunity. Each partnership is designed to inspire curiosity, foster confidence, and open doors to Apprenticeship pathways that can transform lives.

CISCO Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad said that by bringing Union Apprenticeship pathways directly into the classroom, it’s creating real access to careers that offer stability, dignity, and long-term growth. “The Bridge Initiative ensures our future workforce reflects the talent and diversity of the communities we serve,” she added.

Launching a Regional Model

CISCO’s Bridge Initiative begins in Cook County, the heart of Chicagoland’s education and workforce ecosystem. In its inaugural year, CISCO proudly introduces its first Bridge Partner Cohort, featuring two schools that exemplify innovation, inclusivity, and workforce readiness: A.E.R.O.’s  P.R.I.D.E. Program and Delta and Summit Learning Center.

Together, these schools form the foundation of a replicable regional model — one that CISCO plans to expand county by county. Targeted expansion into DuPage, Kane, Kendall, Lake, and McHenry counties will ensure equitable access to Union construction careers for students across both urban and suburban communities. By 2028, CISCO aims to have active Bridge Partner Schools established in all six counties, reinforcing a unified regional pipeline that strengthens local economies and the future skilled Union workforce.

A Hands-On, High-Touch Partnership Model

What sets CISCO’s Bridge Initiative apart is its consistent, hands-on engagement. Each partner school receives in-person visits every three weeks, led by CISCO Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad, alongside Union coordinators and industry professionals. These visits go beyond presentations — they bring real-world experience into the classroom through hands-on demonstrations, mentorship sessions, and honest conversations about career pathways.

“The Bridge Initiative is about showing students what’s possible before they ever think certain doors are closed to them,” explains Muhammad. When young people can see themselves in the trades, meet the mentors, and experience the work firsthand, confidence grows — and so does opportunity.”

The program unfolds in intentional phases throughout the school year:

• Quarter 1: Awareness introduces students to the construction industry, Union construction trades, and Apprenticeship opportunities.
• Quarters 2 and 3: Engagement and Exposure provide immersive experiences through workshops, jobsite tours, and mentorship.
• Quarter 4: Readiness focuses on resume building, mock interviews, and guidance on next steps into Pre-Apprenticeship or Apprenticeship programs.

This structure ensures students are not only informed, but prepared.

Spotlight on 2026 Bridge Partner Schools

The P.R.I.D.E. Program (Purpose, Responsibility, Integrity, Development, and Empowerment), part of A.E.R.O. Special Education Cooperative, supports students from multiple southwest suburban districts as they build life skills and workplace readiness. Its emphasis on personal growth and practical skill-building makes it an ideal partner for early trade exposure and Union mentorship.

Delta and Summit Learning Center, an alternative high school within Community High School District 218, provides a flexible environment for students working toward academic and personal success. For many Delta students, exposure to tangible, hands-on career pathways offers a renewed sense of direction — aligning seamlessly with CISCO’s mission to connect perseverance with opportunity.

Measuring Impact, Building the Future

CISCO will evaluate the Bridge Initiative through participation metrics, career awareness growth, mentorship engagement, and post-program outcomes. More importantly, success will be measured in confidence gained, doors opened, and futures shaped.

CISCO’s Bridge Initiative represents a forward-thinking investment in Chicagoland’s workforce — one that reflects CISCO’s vision of an industry that mirrors the diversity, talent, and potential of the communities it serves. One bridge. One school. One student at a time.