Events

The GCAMP 2026 Outstanding Manufacturing Student Awards celebrate more than technical skill—they recognize perseverance, leadership, and a deep commitment to building the future of manufacturing. 

This year’s program showcased an extraordinary group of students whose achievements demonstrate the strength and promise of our regional talent pipeline. From high school labs to college classrooms and real-world shop floors, each applicant represents the innovation, precision, and work ethic that define modern manufacturing.

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.

For the second year in a row, GCAMP hosted summer manufacturing tours for young people in the Chicagoland area. Our 60+ tour participants included students, parents, teachers, and counselors, 

If you’re having hiring issues, you are not alone. 

The IMA Education Foundation’s 2021 Statewide Education and Workforce Policy Tour revealed that statewide manufacturers are facing “unprecedented challenges” when it comes to filling their workforce needs.[1] 

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.

Molly just started at the Valley Industrial Association and

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.

The Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership, better known as GCAMP, began co-hosting manufacturing breakfasts in conjunction with local high schools in 2018 as a way to turn tables for students and industry partners. Students visit industrial and manufacturing companies each year to learn more about exciting careers and how the industry creates everything we see, and touch. Rarely do our industry partners get the chance to see what students are creating every day in their CTE industrial and manufacturing lab space.