Cook County Celebrates National ‘Manufacturing Day’

Industry-focused consortium to host tours and expo for students Dozens of high school students will have the chance to learn more about careers in modern-day industrial production during Cook County Manufacturing Day Oct. 2. The day-long activities are a collaboration of the Chicago Metro Metal Consortium (CMMC), the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, the Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council, Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC), and Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC). Students from Austin Multiplex, Carl Schurz High School and ACE Technical Charter School will first participate in an open house at the Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC). Interactive stations including CNC Turning, CNC Milling, Press Brake, Robotic Welding, Metal Inert Gas (MIG) Welding, and Metrology will be featured. Additionally, students will travel to either Freedman Seating or S & C Electric to tour their respective manufacturing facilities and have lunch in a 21st century industrial environment. I am pleased that we have this opportunity for students to see the sophisticated equipment and highly skilled labor required for today’s manufacturing, said Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle, who will be attending the open house at JARC. Manufacturers face a growing need for educated and skilled workers, and events like this are designed to build interest in these careers among the next generation that will soon enter the workforce.” Graduates of JARC’s Careers in Manufacturing program and the Austin Multiplex will be on hand to share their personal stories into manufacturing careers. Both Freedman Seating and S & C Electric have successfully partnered with and hired graduates from local job training programs like those at JARC and Austin Multiplex, which are both funded by the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. Cook County’s celebration is part of National Manufacturing Day and is being staged with the support of J.P. Morgan Chase. The day’s activities are geared toward introducing high-school age students to careers in manufacturing. Events highlight successful manufacturer-workforce partnerships, and demonstrate the expertise and unique offerings of Chicago’s metal industry. About the Lead Organizations Chicago Metro Metal Consortium (CMMC) The Chicago Metro Metal Consortium (CMMC) is an initiative designed to support, strengthen and grow the region’s 3,700 metal manufacturing firms, representing $30 billion of annual revenues and 100,000 employees. CMMC offers metal manufacturers tools, services and resources to improve and grow their businesses through collaboration and networking, market intelligence and the promotion of the region as the national’s leading center for metal manufacturers. The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership) The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is a non-profit agency created in 2012 under the joint leadership of Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel. The Partnership's mission is to prepare our workforce with the skills and training needed for today's jobs. Its services are available to all residents and businesses within Cook County. Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council The Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council is a coalition of business, labor, government, education, and community leaders working to make Chicagoland the global leader in advanced manufacturing. Formed in 2005, the Chicagoland MRC is the first demonstration project of Manufacturing Renaissance’s Manufacturing Renaissance Council (MRC) development model. Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) IMEC was established in 1996 with the goal of improving the productivity and competitiveness of Illinois’ small and mid-sized manufacturing firms. A non-profit economic development organization, IMEC is funded in part by the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and through fees paid by Illinois manufacturers for IMEC’s services. Jane Addams Resource Corporation Jane Addams Resource Corporation (JARC) helps low-income workers and community residents attain financial self-sufficiency through a combination of job training and financial support services. Since 2011 JARC has placed 334 low-income and disadvantaged jobseekers in full-time employment at an average starting wage of $13.46/hour.