West Cook News

Cook County has announced that eight manufacturers will participate in the Good Jobs Chicagoland program, which aims to provide training for 250 new and current employees. This initiative is supported by federal funding and led by the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership. The program represents a significant investment in the workforce and economic future of Cook County.

The Cook County Bureau of Economic Development and OAI, Inc., are key organizations supporting this initiative. They work with manufacturers to create customized training programs tailored to industry needs. These companies are the first to join Good Jobs Chicagoland, benefiting from a $1 million investment aimed at fostering growth and offering well-paying jobs in Cook County.

"Cook County is thrilled to support local manufacturers in meeting their talent needs with the resources and financial support provided by Good Jobs Chicagoland," said Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle. "October is Manufacturing Month in Illinois, and we celebrate the impact of the manufacturing industry in Cook County."

Good Jobs Chicagoland collaborates with the National Institute of Metalworking Skills (NIMS) to develop industry-recognized programs that address manufacturers' talent needs. OAI, Inc., through its Park Forest location, leads efforts in Southland, coordinating participation from several manufacturers.

"Good Jobs Chicagoland is committed to cultivating a skilled workforce that allows underrepresented persons to generate wealth for themselves and their families," said Mike Gonzalez, CMISP manager at OAI, Inc.

Freedman Seating Company has been an advocate for Good Jobs Chicagoland since joining as one of its first participants. The company plans to train over 100 employees using NIMS standards and Smart Training Solutions.

"It allows us to train a significant portion of our workforce, but more importantly, it provides a platform to scale our training for the future," said Craig Freedman, CEO of Freedman Seating Company.

Other participating manufacturers include Agrati Inc., Central Steel and Wire Company, Federal Signal, Ferrero, Morrison Container Handling Solutions, Sterling Solutions, and Threaded Fasteners Inc.

According to data from the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center, Cook County accounts for 80% of Illinois's total manufacturing output and employs over 192,000 people within this sector. In recognition of this contribution, October 2024 was declared Manufacturing Appreciation Month by the Cook County Board of Commissioners.

The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership received an $18.5 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s Good Jobs Challenge in August 2022. This funding helped establish Good Jobs Chicagoland as part of M3 Chicago (Metro Manufacturing Momentum), focusing on careers not only in manufacturing but also healthcare; information technology; transportation; distribution; and logistics.

Manufacturers interested in joining can find more information at goodjobschicagoland.com.