Title of Effective Practice: - California Postsecondary Education ...

Direct Connection to Policy Area 1 of The Illinois Commitment
Siemens Building Technologies * Kennedy King College/Dawson Technical Institute* City of Chicago
Small Business Entrepreneurship Program
CCC - Kennedy-King College
What issue or need is addressed by the effective practice?
The City of Chicago, the CCC District and the College are very concerned that the number and capacity of
minority and women owned businesses should be increased. Once participants successfully complete the
Entrepreneurship Program, they can be referred to the City of Chicago for potential Minority-Owned Business
(“MBE”) and Women owned Business (“WBE”) certification. This certification will provide these companies
with a source of bidding and proposal opportunities with the City of Chicago and the Sister Agencies (Chicago
Park District, Chicago Public Schools, Chicago Transit Authority, City Colleges, etc.).
Description of the effective practice:
The program provides a seamless connection between students and the business community by joint sponsorship
structures. Siemens Building Technologies with the City of Chicago Small Business Development Fund
sponsored a seven-week course in small business development. The program was held at Kennedy-King
College’s Dawson Technical Institute. This is a certificate program commonly known as the small business
entrepreneurship program, designed to assist the development of companies principally located in the city.
Initially, the Entrepreneurship Program concentrated on the following areas:
• Purpose of the Business
• Business Incorporation Process (Establishment of Corporate By-Laws
• Capitalization of Business
• Business Plan Development
• Types of Procurement Opportunities
• Bidding Process
• Bidding Opportunities with the City of Chicago and its Sister Agencies (Construction, Professional Services
and Commodities, etc.)
• Franchise Opportunities
• Certification Process
Dawson created a Advisory Board to oversee the Entrepreneurship Program The Advisory Board members
include individuals who are members or employees of the following groups:
• Unions
• Community Groups
• Prime Construction Companies
• Prime Non-Construction Companies
• Minority/Female-Owned Construction Companies
• Law School Representatives
• Financial Institutions
In conjunction with the establishment of the Entrepreneurship Program, the Board shall assist in:
• Identifying employment opportunities for Entrepreneurship Program graduates
• Fundraising activities for the Entrepreneurship Program
• Developing ancillary programs.
How does this practice achieve sustainability?
The city provided startup funds under an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with the City Colleges of Chicago
(Community College District number 508). The plan is for the program to become self-sufficient during its
second full year of operation.
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