Get certified in weeks, not years.
Selective admission • Limited seats • Scholarships Available
The NextGen Sales Academy is a competitive, fast-track sales training program designed with Chicago employers, supported by the Coghill Foundation, and delivered by City Colleges of Chicago through the Center of Excellence in Business.
This intensive, cohort-based program prepares motivated learners with the modern sales skills employers demand—combining hands-on training, real employer projects, and industry tools like Salesforce. Graduates leave with job-ready experience and a clear pathway into credit-bearing programs in Sales & Entrepreneurship.
Program at a Glance
- 8 weeks | Cohort-based, high-intensity training
- Selective admission | Limited seats each cycle
- Salesforce CRM training | Trailhead + real pipeline practice
- Employer projects | Powered by Riipen
- Stackable pathway | CE → Advanced Certificate → AAS
What Is the NextGen Sales Academy?
The NextGen Sales Academy is a selective, 8-week Continuing Education program that prepares learners for high-demand entry-level and early-career sales roles.
Guided by Chicago employers through the Sales & Entrepreneurship Business & Industry Leadership Team (BILT) advisory council, the Academy blends technical sales skills, professional coaching, and real-world application. Students gain hands-on experience in consultative selling, prospecting, storytelling, negotiation, and account management, while building real sales pipelines in Salesforce and completing employer-led projects.
The Academy also serves as the on-ramp into City Colleges’ credit-bearing Sales & Entrepreneurship programs launching in Fall 2026.
Who Should Apply
Because this is a selective program, we look for applicants who are motivated, coachable, and committed to growth.
The Academy is ideal for:
- Career changers ready to pivot into a professional role with earning potential
- Aspiring entrepreneurs building the selling skills needed to start or grow a business
- Recent CPS graduates seeking a fast, structured entry into the workforce
- Current CCC students exploring Sales, Business, or Entrepreneurship
- High-motivation learners — no prior sales experience required
Why Choose NextGen Sales Academy
What You’ll Learn
Weekly modules include:
- Sales Mindset & Fundamentals
- Communication & Storytelling
- Prospecting & Pipeline Building
- Customer Discovery & Needs Analysis
- Pitching, Objection Handling & Value Positioning
- Negotiation & Closing Techniques
- Account Management & Customer Success
- Salesforce + Capstone Experience
Your Pathway in Sales & Entrepreneurship
If you’re interested, the NextGen Sales Academy is the first step in a fully stackable pathway that will launch Fall 2026:
- NextGen Sales Academy (CE) – Selective, 8-week applied training
- Basic Certificate (BC) in Entrepreneurship (optional) – Venture planning and startup selling
- Advanced Certificate (AC) in Sales – Sales strategy, pipeline management, analytics
- AAS in Sales & Entrepreneurship – A 61-credit applied degree
- Transfer Pathways – Bachelor’s programs in Business, Marketing, or related fields
What Success Looks Like
Outcomes tracked include completion, certifications, student feedback, employer engagement, and career pathways.
How to Apply (Competitive Admission)
The NextGen Sales Academy mirrors a real sales environment—high expectations, consistent engagement, and coachability matter.
Seats are limited, and cohorts fill quickly.
Step 1: Online Application
Share your goals, motivation, and readiness for an intensive 8-week program.
Step 2: Short Virtual Interview -15–20 minutes
Selected applicants complete a brief interview and short sales scenario to confirm fit, commitment, and professionalism.
Step 3: Selection & Enrollment
Accepted students confirm their seat, attend mandatory orientation, and complete pre-work (Salesforce Trailhead starter modules).
Employers & Partners
The Academy is built with employers, not around them.
Ways to engage:
- Host short-term projects through the Riipen platform
- Serve as a guest speaker, mentor, or mock interviewer
- Join the Sales & Entrepreneurship BILT advisory council to shape curriculum
- Develop internships or direct hiring pathways for graduates
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a Continuing Education program designed to allow for credit for prior learning to be applied to credit-bearing certificates and the AAS.
No. We look for motivation, coachability, and readiness to commit.
Weekly live sessions, independent practice, group employer projects, and Saturday labs.
Yes. Students complete Salesforce Trailhead modules and hands-on CRM work aligned to the Salesforce Certified Sales Representative exam.
Some cohorts may offer tuition support, stipends, or certification assistance depending on grant funding. Details are shared on the application page.