The Chicago Made: Film & TV Workforce Training Program is a partnership between the city of Chicago’s Department of Cultural Affairs and the Film office. In collaboration to develop union and professional "championed" training programs. Aimed to embed a high level of skill and ability within individuals seeking careers within Chicago's TV & Film industry. The Chicago Made: Film & TV Workforce Training Program main responsibility is to develop and execute a dynamic workforce training program. The program involves a high-level of coordination between trainees and a complex network of production and post-production partners. It requires the cooperation of trade unions and associations, the city of Chicago, state of Illinois

The Challenge: Can an international city create a skilled and diversified workforce pool of industry-ready individuals from backgrounds that include the under-served population of Chicago residents. Just 25.9% of film writers in 2020 were people of color

The organization of work and the cultural production in screen-based media industries often amplify existing inequalities Historically the film and TV industry has not been inclusive and has relied on a traditional method of word of mouth referrals for many years. Women made up just 26% of film writers and just 20.5% of directors.