Calumet Manufacturing Careers Internship Program helps Southland youth land sustainable jobs

Workforce training partners, manufacturing companies and friends and family gathered Oct. 19 at the Robbins Community Center to celebrate 12 Calumet Manufacturing Careers Internship Program graduates.

Eleven of the 12 participants had landed fulltime employment by completing the program at participating manufacturing companies including: Anderson Brass & Copper, Ardaugh Group, Arkema Coatings & Resins, Best Diamond Plastics, Chicago Magnesium, INX, International, Kocsis Brothers, Machining Systems Corporation, MiFab Corporation and Star Tool & Die.

“You’ve done well,” OAI, Inc. Executive Director Mollie Dowling said to students. “Now it’s time to do well for the rest of your lives, as well as reach back to help others. Your success should be an opportunity to help others with their success.”

CMCIP offers young adults ages 18-24 an opportunity to explore meaningful and productive careers in manufacturing. The program also addresses the critical shortage of qualified workers in the manufacturing sector.

By the end of December, the manufacturing sector will add another 700,000 jobs, said Business &Careers Services Executive Director Al Saulys. “But manufacturers are facing a crisis with the workforce shortage.”

CMCIP starts with a 4-week “Manufacturing Boot Camp” and ends with an eight-week paid internship at a local manufacturing company. The program also provides mentoring, industry tours, guidance, skills training, and the hands-on work experience needed to help youth transition into a career in manufacturing or to pursue additional education and training.

The program was developed by Business and Career Services in partnership with Medusa Consulting Group and administered by Calumet Green Manufacturing Partnership member OAI, Inc. The CMCIP is funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) through the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.

More photos are here.