A New Era of Manufacturing: Employment Trends in Illinois

The  Chicago Metropolitan Agency for  Planning's  (CMAP) recently released policy update on the  manufacturing employment and output trends for Illinois indicates that one of the Chicago region's competitive advantages lies in advanced manufacturing. CMAP's analysis shows that the region maintained a larger share of highly-skilled, highly-productive manufacturing jobs than other parts of the state. The reduction in total manufacturing jobs between 2010-2016 and continuing increased output highlights the manufacturing sector's need for a workforce with solid skills in science, technology, engineering and mathematics to meet the continued demand for highly specialized production  processes.

Computer skills are integral to all manufacturers
CMAP's update explains that manufacturing remains a major part of metropolitan Chicago's economy, despite a decline in total number of jobs, because of its outsized role in stimulating economic activity. As manufacturing continues to evolve, CMMC will focus on supporting and implementing strategies to leverage the competitive advantages that fueled manufacturing growth in the past - innovative advancements, industry clustering, and a skilled workforce.  Read more here.
Help Cultivate Tomorrow's Workforce

M3C Student Participants at Local Manufacturer
The changing demographics of the manufacturing sector is creating a shortage of workers as long-term employees near retirement. 

Help build  a pipeline of work ready young adults to address the gap of skilled workers in advanced manufacturing through Manufacturing Renaissance's   Manufacturing Career & College Connect (M3C)  program. M3C exposes high school students from Austin College and Career Academy to careers in manufacturing through internships and job shadowing opportunities.

Right now, the M3C program is looking for manufacturers to host students for a one-day 6-8 hour job shadowing or five days of meaningful entry-level work during spring break at no cost to you.

To make a difference in a young adult's life, build the necessary workforce for the future, and to host a student, please email DeeDee Jones, Industry Coordinator, at [email protected] .
Build Your Skills in Digital Manufacturing

Introduction to the Digital Manufacturing and Design Technology Specialization
Watch this video to decide if a specialization in digital manufacturing and design technology is for you! 
As mentioned above, manufacturing as we know it is rapidly changing. Don't get left behind! Whether you're a high school graduate exploring manufacturing careers or an operations manager hungry for an understanding of the newest manufacturing technologies, a specialization in Digital Manufacturing and Design Technology may help advance your career

UI Labs/DMDII, in partnership with Coursera, announced its first three online courses to make manufacturers more efficient and competitive. The courses are:  Digital Manufacturing & Design; Digital Thread: Components; and Digital Thread: Implementation

Click here to register. Courses are free. 
Grants Available to Assist with Environmental Assessments

The Cook County Department of Environmental Control has funding to assist businesses that may be interested in acquiring, developing, or expanding to what is now a  Brownfield Site  in the following western suburbs: Bellwood, Forest Park, Franklin Park, Maywood, Melrose Park, Northlake, and Schiller Park.  Brownfield grants allow environmental site assessments and the development of cleanup plans if needed, saving an average of $25k for the facility. According to CMAP , remediating brownfields can bring significant return on investment, with a median return of $16 in total investment for every $1 of state investment (IIRA 2005).

For more information, click here or email Kevin Schnoes.
Call for Projects:
Invest in Cook Transportation Grant Program 

The transportation system of the Chicago region is the center of a global supply chain and supports the nation's largest port. The long-term sustainability of these assets, the regional economy, and your business depends upon an efficient and modern transportation system that supports the movement of goods and people. 

Do you know of a street serving a manufacturer(s) in need of improvement? Invest in Cook might be able to assist.
To respond to the local needs of communities,
 including manufacturers, t he Cook County's Department of Transportation and Highways has launched  Invest in Cook, a new transportation grant program to help fund infrastructure and transportation improvements. 

The County is seeking applications for transportation-related projects throughout Cook County as part of the initiative to build and maintain a comprehensive regional transportation  network. Private for-profit or non-profit organizations can submit project proposals, but must have a public sponsor.

The deadline to apply is 5:00 PM CST on March 17, 2017.  For more information, click here  or contact Tomohiko Music with questions at (312) 603-3808 or by email
Unlock Your Export Potential with ExporTech!

Sponsored by Metro Chicago Exports, ExporTech is the  only national program that helps companies develop an export plan and connects them with local and national experts that help navigate the export sales process saving time and money.

The winter 2017 ExporTech cohort is launching on February 27 in Kane County.  If you are interested in participating or know someone that should apply, contact  Lisa Reijula, Metro Chicago Exports Program Manager, at [email protected]  or (312) 589-5773. 
Save the Date!

mHUB Grand Opening
March 2, 2017,  2:30 - 9:00 p.m.
You're invited to join mHUB as they pay tribute to Chicago's reigning manufacturing leaders and future visionaries, innovators, and entrepreneurs. Details to Follow.
 
DuPage Metals & Manufacturing: Talent, Development and Retention
March 24, 2017,  8:30 - 11:00 a.m.
Choose DuPage  and CMMC have partnered to develop a panel to hear from local manufacturers about your workforce needs and how we can support the development of a talent pipeline to strengthen DuPage manufacturers. Agenda and registration info forthcoming. 
The Chicago Metro Metal Consortium (CMMC) works to strengthen the region's 4000 metal manufacturing firms. CMMC offers metal manufacturers the tools, services and resources to improve and grow their businesses through collaboration and networking, market intelligence and promotion of the region as the nation's leading center for manufacturing. 
Copyright © February 2017. All Rights Reserved.