Education

Illinois manufacturers have a lot to be proud of—and a lot to look forward to. The next generation is showing growing interest in manufacturing, engineering, technology, and the trades (METT). But they need your help to turn that interest into real career paths.

Launching a High School Internship Program

One of the most common misconceptions in manufacturing today is that companies can only hire legal adults, or individuals over the age of 18.  Many manufacturers are hesitant to hire 16- and 17-year-olds.  Not only is this young adult population hirable, but they are also some of the most eager workers, in need of guidance to begin their manufacturing careers.

In celebration of Manufacturing Month, Northern Kane County Region 110 joined forces with the Alignment Collaborative for Education, school districts 300, 301, 303, U-46, the St. Charles Chamber of Commerce Industrial Committee, and the Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP) to spotlight the dynamic manufacturing industry in the Fox Valley region. What began three years ago with a small group of students from St.

The International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), the largest and longest-running manufacturing technology trade show in the United States, was held September 9–14, at McCormick Place in Chicago. This biennial event is a premier opportunity for industry leaders to explore cutting-edge innovations, engage in professional networking, and participate in a variety of educational workshops.

Hampshire High School teacher, Jonathan Weger, knew the right steps to take to make a huge impact with his students this year – give students knowledge, combine it with hands-on experiences, apply it to real-world scenarios, and watch the learning grow. 

GCAMP was thrilled to offer a grant to our friends from High School District 214, the Wildstang Robotics Program.  The Wildstang Robotics Program is made of up two FRC (First Robotics Competition) teams: Team 111 Wildstang and Team 112 Plus One.  Comprising these teams for the 2022-2023 school year were 72 high-school students dedicated to bringing STEM to life. 

GCAMP is a proud 2023 sponsor of various community programs, including several robotics teams.  One of those teams is composed of five middle- school students: the self-dubbed Team Marshmallow Menagerie.

On Tuesday, October 11, 2022, WA The Diemasters, located at 2100 Touhy Avenue in the industrial park, hosted 14 Elk Grove High School manufacturing students and their instructor, Jonathon Won. The purpose of the visit was to tour a manufacturing plant and to show students the many career opportunities in manufacturing.

October has been declared in the State of Illinois as Manufacturing Month, with the first Friday in October (October 7th this year), as Manufacturing Day. There is no better way to participate than to open your doors to students and schools in your local area. Show them what makes your company great and give them a reason to choose manufacturing as their career pathway. Get the students interested.