Making It To The Top
Business Development Cohort

A Free Cohort Comprised of 12 Sessions of Training along with Coaching and Mentoring

Conducted via Zoom and OSHA 30.

This Program is Totally Free!!

Space Is Still Available.

Accelerated Learning!!

12 Sessions

If accepted, all missed sessions will be made available to you.

1st 30 to qualify will be accepted.

This program consists of:

Training - 12 sessions (Complete schedule below).
Coaching - Access to one-on-one mentoring with trainers (You'll select which ones).
OSHA 30 Training - (Read more after schedule).

About The O’Hare 21Project

The City of Chicago and its airline partners are moving forward on a historic plan that will transform O’Hare International Airport with the biggest terminal expansion ever. O’Hare 21 is Chicago’s vision for a modern airport that will be an efficient and accessible international gateway, bringing the world to Chicago, and Chicago to the world. Through this decade-long capital program, O’Hare will be transformed from curb to gate and meet the needs of the traveling public through the 21st century and beyond.

O’Hare 21 will be a model of inclusiveness and transparency, creating an unprecedented opportunity for local participation from businesses owned by minorities, women, disabled persons, veterans, returning citizens and members of the LGBTQ+ community through incentives to local companies from across Chicago’s 77 community areas. As an economic engine for the City of Chicago, the region and the state, this project will create nearly 22,000 jobs in design, construction and related industries.

The upgrades are set to grow O’Hare’s overall terminal square footage by more than 60 percent, from 5.5 to 8.9 million square feet, and increase gate frontage by 25 percent.

The Making It To The Top Business Development (MITT) cohort is a business development program that consists of virtual training and mentoring to strengthen your capabilities to do business on the O'Hare 21 Project. A tremendous bi-product of this experience is that you will be more knowledgeable to bid on other government and private-sector projects.

At the end of the training phase, you will be asked to complete a questionnaire where you will tell us if there are any areas you would like to receive additional advice or guidance. You will then be assigned to one or more mentors who will provide additional clarity on the subject/s you're in need of further assistance. This could be any of the subjects being taught during th cohort.

If you do not have your OSHA 30 card, you will be able to complete the training to obtain your card. As the business owner, if you have your card, but would like to designate another team member to complete the program, you will be permitted to do so. It will be necessary to verify how this person is aligned with your firm. This will be determined after you've been accepted into the program. Information on the OSHA 30 program can be found further down the page.

To Qualify For This Cohort, Firms Must...

Be a Construction, Trucking, Landscape or Other Construction Trade, Architecture or Engineering Firm

Must be MBE or WBE certified with the City of Chicago or Cook County in the area(s) of specialty OR currently in the process of obtaining your certification. To work on the O'Hare 21 Project, you must be MBE certified.

Firm must be in business 3+ years OR the owner must have 5+ years in the primary trade of the business.

Business owner and up to 2 other key persons on your team can participate.

OSHA 30 training is available to the business owner OR one other person who is responsible for supervising your staff and/or team's OSHA compliance.

Previously Bid

Priority will be given to firms who previously bid as either a sub to a prime or is a prime but did not win a contract on the O'Hare 21 project.

Others will be accepted as long as space is available, up to the program capacity of 30 firms.

Participation Requirements

Complete the Application found at the end of the page.
Be willing to sign a Commitment Form to attend all sessions and complete all homework assignments. If you are unwilling to commit to attending all sessions, please do not apply.

Commitment Form will be provided upon acceptance into the program.

2024 MITT Training Schedule cropped r2.jpg

Only those without an OSHA 30 card are eligible for these sessions.

All Modules/Sessions Are Administered Through the University of South Florida Website

OSHA 30 Construction (19 modules total)

Audio Narration and Interactive Exercises
Download or Print Reviews for Final Exam
Includes OSHA Department of Labor Card and Certificate

OSHA 30-Hour training for construction prepares owners on how to avoid workplace safety and health risks. The OSHA-authorized administrator of the training is the University of South Florida. All courses are 100% online and accessible 24/7 from any web-enabled device. Topics covered in OSHA 30-Hour training include general worksite safety, avoiding common hazards, understanding workers' rights, employer responsibilities and more. You will complete the training at your own pace, but all 19 modules must be completed within 180 days after signing with the University. Once you have completed all 19 modules, you will receive an official OSHA 30 card from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). You can start your OSHA training once you've begun the program training. You

Once a contractor completes the OSHA 30-Hour training, you will be able to download your OSHA certificate immediately after completing the last module. The Department of Labor cards will come by mail 4-6 weeks later.

Here are the modules that will be taught:

1. Introduction to OSHA: 110 minutes

2. Construction Focus Four: Fall Hazards: 110 minutes

3. Construction Focus Four: Electrocution: 80 minutes

4. Construction Focus Four: Struck-By Hazards: 80 minutes

5. Construction Focus Four: Caught-In/Between Hazards: 50 minutes

6. Health Hazards: 110 minutes

7. Materials Handling: 37.5 minutes

8. Tools - Hand and Power: 80 minutes

9. Managing Safety and Health: 110 minutes

10. Stairways and Ladders: 80 minutes

11. Fire Protection and Prevention: 80 minutes

12. Welding and Cutting: 50 minutes

13. Scaffolds: 80 minutes

14. Cranes: 80 minutes

15. Excavations: 110 minutes

16. Concrete and Masonry: 110 minutes

17. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): 110 minutes

18. Confined Space Entry: 80 minutes

19. Signs, Signals and Barricades: 50 minutes

20. Final Exam Instructions and Course Review: No minimum time

As mentioned, this is an accelerated program. Please DO NOT apply if you cannot commit to attend at least 90% of the sessions.

Save My Spot

The Final Date to Apply is November 7th

Program Application

In order to be considered to participate in the Making It To The Top Business Development Program cohort, you must complete the following application. You will be notified by November 8th if you are accepted into the program.

Making It To The Top Business Development Cohort