Construction workers

Workforce and DBE small business opportunities

RPM Phase One is a historic project that goes beyond modernizing our public transportation system. It will serve as a catalyst to provide equitable opportunity and to develop diverse businesses as CTA works to ensure that the project’s contractors and workforce is as diverse as its customers and the City of Chicago.

Check out some of the RPM Phase One initiatives below.

Workforce development

Small and diverse business development

RPM Phase One Workforce Goals

  • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Goal: 10% of total labor hours. WIOA is a dislocated worker program that offers employment and training services in the construction trades for eligible workers who are currently unemployed.
  • RPM Apprentice Goal: 15% of total labor hours.
  • Economically Disadvantaged Area Goal: 35% of total labor hours. The creation of the economically disadvantaged area goal will create opportunities for individuals in zip codes where the median income is less than $40,000. See if your zip code qualifies.

SBE/DBE and workforce goals for RPM contractor Walsh-Fluor Design-Build Team

  • DBE Goal: 20% design/20% construction
  • DBE Commitment: 20.64% design/20% construction
  • Workforce Goals (as percentage of labor hours)
    • Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) - 10%
    • Economically Disadvantaged Areas - 35%
    • Union Apprentice - 15%

RPM Phase One Small and Diverse Business Goals

The project goal is to have 20% of contracts with DBEs.


For workforce related inquiries, please email [email protected].

For small business and disadvantaged business enterprise (DBE) inquiries, including how to get certified, please email us at [email protected] or call (312) 681-2601.