School partnership boosts manufacturing

When the state of Illinois issued the stay-at-home order in mid-March, Gov. Pritzker declared manufacturers essential - indeed, they were. From converting factory floors to produce PPE for frontline workers to boosting food production to ensure grocery store shelves were fully stocked, the manufacturing industry has played an outsized role throughout the pandemic.

Students at Wheeling High School joined the effort. Led by their outstanding teachers, WHS students used knowledge and experience gained in the Career and Technical Education program to design and produce face shields through 3D printing processes, donating them to frontline workers in the community.

WHS's Career and Technical Education program is the result of the dedicated work of educators and an innovative partnership with the Illinois Manufacturers' Association. The IMA's Education Foundation works with community colleges and high schools across the state to develop curriculum and programs that will ensure students learn the recognized industry skills they'll need for careers in manufacturing.

While manufacturing is a thriving industry in Illinois, manufacturers are experiencing a shortage of qualified workers. Over 300,000 baby boomers are expected to retire from factory floors over the next decade. Partnerships between the IMA and schools like WHS play a vital role in helping the industry close the gap by educating a new generation of highly-trained, competitive workers.

While programs like WHS's Career and Technical Education are worth celebrating year-round, this month the program is of particular importance. October is recognized nationally as Manufacturing Month, a celebration of the industry that showcases the diverse and extensive employment opportunities in the manufacturing industry.

The educators and students of Wheeling High School are proud to celebrate Manufacturing Month alongside the Illinois Manufacturers' Association as we work together to build a better future for our students and the manufacturing industry.

Jerry Cook, Principal of Wheeling High School

Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers' Association