Celebrate Manufacturing Month, Lake County's economic backbone

Tune your attention to manufacturing industry this October. College of Lake County (CLC) will celebrate Manufacturing Month with free virtual events for both students and the community. In addition to special scholarship opportunities, jump start a manufacturing career with this month's employability session and job fair, among other inspiring events.

"Manufacturing is an exciting and impactful industry in the community," said dean of engineering, mathematics and physical sciences Richard Ammon. "Lake County is the second largest manufacturing county in Illinois. Locally, manufacturing companies employ over 50,700 people in Lake County, generating $35.7 billion in economic output per year."

But there's a gap where not enough skilled workers are available to fill the jobs needed in at local manufacturing companies. CLC partners with local high schools, Lake County Partners, Lake County Workforce Development Center, Lake County Tech Campus, University Center of Lake County and others in the workforce ecosystem to collaboratively link a pipeline leading to successful careers.

CLC quickly adapted when COVID-19 disrupted the education system across the country. The college implemented CDC safety guidelines to ensure all manufacturing related labs and classes could continue face-to-face. The college recently invested $290,000 to virtualize its career education programs allowing the college to extend career and technical education outside of the walls of the college. Significant future investments are in the works to expand the capacities of the college's programs. Developing a skilled labor force trained on advancing technologies is necessary to maintain the local manufacturing industry.

Visit www.clcillinois.edu/events/manufacturing for a list of events.