More than 250 residents already impacted by 1000 Jobs Campaign

Local manufacturers need to fill more than 30,000 jobs open across Chicagoland, and World Business Chicago’s (WBC’s) 1000 Jobs for Chicagoland Manufacturing campaign – in partnership with the City of Chicago, Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute (DMDII) and other partners – is building on the region’s existing workforce system to match job seekers with those employer needs.

Since Mayor Emanuel launched 1000 Jobs for Chicagoland Manufacturing last year, more than 260 residents have received training or jobs in the industry.

Local manufacturers are hiring. Interested residents can visit 1000Jobscampaign.com and submit their information, and can attend the Urban League Job Fair at UIC Pavilion on June 17th to learn more about these opportunities. The site is also used for manufacturers with positions to fill.

In conjunction with 1000 Jobs, West Side Chicago nonprofit, Bethel New Life, recently graduated its 2015 summer Advanced Manufacturing Training (AMT) class. This is an example of how the 1000 Jobs campaign helps facilitate coordination within the workforce development and training system, matching job seekers to employers more effectively and efficiently.

Since the AMT program started in 2013, 73 people have graduated with the skills they need to secure advanced manufacturing jobs. Advanced manufacturing is a high-tech industry that requires training on computer numerical control (CNC) machines. To date, every AMT graduate has received their CNC national credentials. In addition, Bethel’s partnership with 1000 Jobs and The Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA)  gives its graduates access to manufacturing employers throughout Chicagoland.

“Motivated AMT graduates get hired, and are often promoted and given pay increases within a year,” said Jumaani Bates, Bethel New Life Workforce Development Specialist and 1000 Jobs account executive.

All participants accepted into AMT receive free training and certification. Bethel’s AMT program welcomes all adults 18 or older including returning citizens. AMT participants with children are eligible for Family College that combines AMT, academic skills training for children, and family growth experiences. A new AMT cohort started June 15th.

WBC’s 1000 Jobs (www.1000jobscampaign.com), led by a consortium of 40 manufacturing industry leaders in partnership with dozens of additional organizations, will place 1,000 qualified job seekers on career pathways in manufacturing, and link residents who need additional skills to training and apprenticeship programs resulting in full-time employment. This strategic collaboration strengthens the Chicagoland economy, addresses the national skills gap in advanced manufacturing, and gives residents access to good paying jobs in advanced manufacturing.