|
February 2025
As we look ahead to March, we embrace the opportunity to share the valuable impact and reach of the workforce development system locally and nationwide. Lake County Workforce Development representatives will soon be on Capitol Hill in support of Workforce Advocacy Day to make the case for workforce. Stay tuned to learn more how you too can make a difference and help spread awareness.
March also brings two of our popular annual recruitment events, the Hospitality and Retail Workforce Summit and the Lake County Educator Job Fair. Both events offer local job seekers and employers the chance to make much needed career connections.
| |
|
2025 State of the Workforce Event Shows Strong Outlook
Hosted by Lake County Workforce Development, the Job Center of Lake County, and Lake County Partners, the 2025 “State of the Workforce” event, held January 29, offered valuable insights into the economic and workforce future of Lake County.
Jeff Hubert, Business Services Project Lead with Lake County Workforce Development, noted that Lake County experienced a 5.8% wage growth, outpacing national trends. It was an indication of economic strength, he said, while also underscoring, “the need to align wages with rising living costs.”
Ronald Lanz, Business Development Director at Lake County Partners, shared that 2024 was a strong year for Lake County and the region, while unemployment was down slightly from the same period a year ago.
Lake County’s two strongest industries, technology and life sciences, held steady, with an expectation for growth in 2025.
The transportation, distribution and logistics industry experienced a 4.3% increase over 2023, while the manufacturing sector saw a 1% increase. Lake County has also been a “very strong” warehousing location, Lanz said, with expansions into the western and central parts of the county.
Since 2020, Lake County has seen $1.3 billion in new capital investments, Lanz said, aiding in the retention of nearly 5,000 jobs, and the creation of over 4,600 new ones. In 2024 alone, roughly 1,200 jobs were created or retained, he said.
| |
|
LCWD Sending Delegates to NAWB Forum and Advocacy Day
Representatives of Lake County Workforce Development will be attending the NAWB 2025 Forum in Washington, D.C. from March 29 – April 2. The Forum, the nation’s largest annual workforce development conference, provides attendees with the opportunity to learn directly from top experts about workforce policy, initiatives, and trends.
Jennifer Serino, Executive Director for the Board, will be part of a speakers panel on the topic of "Utilizing Apprenticeships to Meet Expanding Workforce Needs in the Care Economy," to be held at 2:30P on March 30. This session highlights the use of Registered Apprenticeship Programs to meet the growing need and provides practical guidance and tools for local workforce development boards to use in addressing this expanding career sector. Presenters will share strategies on collaboration by workforce boards, localizing training and staff development models, flexible entry points, and employer engagement.
Additionally, LCWD representatives, including Jennifer Serino, Workforce Development professionals, a labor and apprenticeship rep, board members, and a high school CTE rep, will be participants in the "Skills-Based Hiring Community of Practice Design Lab," an invite-only event to be held at 12P on March 29. Exclusive for NAWB’s Community of Practice aimed at building the capacity of workforce boards to implement skills-based ecosystems and the understanding of learning and employment records (LER), this Education Design Lab will support NAWB through human-centered design facilitation which will include journey mapping, establishing a process/framework for workforce boards to perform system/data mapping and inventories, and establishing design criteria to guide implementation and action steps. The Lab will bring its expertise on leveraging human-centered design to inform and support the CoP on LER ecosystem design and implementation.
As part of the 2025 Forum, Workforce Advocacy Day, held April 1-2, will provide a critical opportunity for LCWD representatives to go to Capitol Hill to tell the story of workforce development in Lake County and to let Congress know how they can support this work locally.
To learn more about The Forum, click here. For additional information about Workforce Advocacy Day, click here.
| |
|
GCAMP Hosts Manufacturing Breakfast at Lake County Tech
The Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP) is hosting its next Manufacturing Breakfast at Lake County Tech Campus on Tuesday, February 25.
This is a great opportunity to see what students are learning inside the Lake County Manufacturing Welding and Fabrication Program. You’ll hear from both the teacher and students and get a tour of their facility. Enjoy breakfast, a tour, and a presentation of the program’s updates and improvements.
This two-year program provides hands-on experiences gained from extensive practice and application of knowledge in shop safety, oxy-fuel welding and burning, arc welding, (stick, MIG, TIG), plasma arc cutting, and automatic shape cutting. Layout and fit-up, blueprint reading, and weld symbols are used to fabricate a variety of metal projects. The American Welding Society (AWS) recognizes the Tech Campus Welding program as an Educational Instruction Member.
| |
|
Chicagoland Poised for Future Life Sciences Growth
Cushman & Wakefield, a global commercial real estate services firm, recently released their predictions for potential future growth in the life sciences sector in the Chicagoland area. Part of this optimism is fueled by the existing presence of major life sciences firms AbbVie, based in North Chicago, and Astellas Pharma, with their U.S. headquarters in Northbrook and a downtown office in Chicago.
Chicagoland’s life sciences talent pool is strong and noteworthy among U.S. markets, according to CBRE’s 2024 U.S. Life Sciences Talent Trends Report. In 2023, the Chicago market ranked third for manufacturing talent and tenth for research and development talent.
The report also cites the Chicagoland area as a strong business location for life sciences based on not only the strong talent pool, but also the affordable cost of living and doing business and the direct access to cutting-edge science and universities.
| |
|
Governor JB Pritzker Announces Support for Community College Baccalaureate Degrees to Strengthen Illinois’ Workforce
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced support for new legislation—Senate Bill 2482 and House Bill 3717—that would allow Illinois community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees in high-demand fields. This initiative aims to expand access to affordable, flexible higher education options for working adults and address the state’s growing workforce needs.
“Illinois has long been a leader in expanding educational opportunities and preparing our workforce for the jobs of tomorrow,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “By allowing our community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees for in-demand career paths, we are making it easier and more affordable for students—particularly working adults in rural communities—to advance their careers while strengthening our state’s economy.”
CLC President and LCWD Board Member Dr. Lori Suddick said, "Community colleges play a critical role in connecting all of the potential talent in our communities to the full range of opportunities that exist through accessible, high-quality, and workforce-aligned education. Expanding baccalaureate degree options at community colleges ensures that local workforce needs are met and students are able to advance their careers without the financial and geographic barriers of traditional pathways. College of Lake County is committed to meeting students where they are, and providing them the pathway toward prosperity, through equitable career pathways that align with the needs of the Lake County and regional workforce."
Article reposted from College of Lake County.
| |
|
Meet the Board – Board Member Dennis Kessler
Dennis Kessler is a current Board Member and President and Founder of Midwest Family Business Advisors.
In addition to his commitment to the Workforce Development Board, Dennis serves on the board of directors for five family-owned businesses and draws from his personal experience as the former Co-President of Fel-Pro, Inc., a business that was in his family for 80 years. On the non-profit side, Dennis has previously served on the board of directors for the Loyola Family Business Center, the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation, and the Michael Rolfe Pancreatic Cancer Foundation.
Midwest Family Business Advisors consults with family members, business owners, their advisors, and other key parties to determine effective ways to develop leaders, enhance communication, resolve conflicts, and work together as a team. The company also assists families with wealth transfer, succession, and business continuation strategies.
| |
|
Partner Spotlight – Waukegan Housing Authority
The Waukegan Housing Authority promotes adequate and affordable housing and economic opportunities for low-income families, persons with disabilities, and the elderly.
The Waukegan Housing Authority is a key partner of the Lake County Workforce Development Board and is one of several organizations that participate in the Job Center under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
| |
|
|
Save The Date: Hospitality & Retail Workforce Summit
Join us for a summit dedicated to driving growth, tackling workforce challenges, and strengthening Lake County’s hospitality and retail sector.
Date: Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Panels: 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
(Doors Open at 8:30 AM)
Networking: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cost: Free of Charge
Location: Great Wolf Lodge, 1700 Nations Drive, Gurnee, IL 60031
Hear from these keynote speakers, along with additional national and local experts in our industry panels.
- Michael Jacobson, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association
- Sam Toia, Illinois Restaurant Association
Plus, don’t miss insights from panelists representing Great Wolf Lodge, Lake County Health Department, College of Lake County, Lake County Workforce Development, and more!
| |
|
Save The Date: 4th Annual Lake County Educator Job Fair
Date: Saturday, March 15, 2025
Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
(7:30 AM – Early Access for Veterans)
Location: Grayslake North High School, 1925 North Route. 83, Grayslake, IL 60030
Room: The HUB (please enter through the main entrance)
Career Opportunities Include:
- Teaching / Support Staff / Student Support Services
- Athletics / Activities
- Maintenance / Custodial
- Transportation / Food Service / Security
- And more!
| |
|
LCWD Meets with Waukegan Township Commissioners
Lake County Workforce Development staff recently met with Waukegan Township Commissioners, representing Township Supervisor Marc Jones.
Project Analyst Eric Nordstrom presented workforce development program data and outcomes, emphasizing the effective collaboration between the two organizations. Workforce Development continues to highlight its positive impact on Lake County residents and businesses.
| |
|
CLC Hiring for Apprenticeship Program Navigator
The College of Lake County is currently hiring for an Apprenticeship Program Navigator (APN) to actively recruit and engage with prospective students, their families, area high schools, local employers, and community partners to build awareness of CLC’s Apprenticeship Program.
The APN will foster a college-going identity and create connections to CLC and the Apprenticeship Program as one of the top choices in higher education. In this role, the APN will serve as a point person for prospective students exploring apprenticeships as a career option and establish a caseload of incoming and current students who have expressed an interest or committed to participating in the Apprenticeship Program.
| |
|
LCWD Staff Learn About AI Tools
Earlier this month, Workforce Development staff had the privilege of visiting Microsoft’s Corporate Sales Office in Chicago to attend an “Empowering Leaders with AI” informational session to deepen their understanding of Artificial Intelligence tools and Generative AI practices. This experience provided the team with invaluable insights into optimizing and managing the inputs and outputs of these transformative technologies.
| | |
|
|
Mark Your Calendars! The Job Center of Lake County has a full calendar of helpful and informative events. To view all upcoming Job Center events, including workshops and job fairs, click here.
Upcoming Board/Committee Meetings:
March 11, 2025 – Talent Pipeline Committee, 9:00 AM CT
March 14, 2025 – Operations Pipeline, 9:00 AM CT
March 18, 2025 – Employer Connections Committee, 9:00 AM CT
March 19, 2025 – Executive Committee, 8:15 AM CT
| |
|
The Lake County Workforce Development Board (WDB) is a workforce development leader in the county, region, and state. WDB collaborates with key partners and stakeholders to lead performance-driven and innovative strategies that develop, align, and integrate the workforce development system.
| |
|
Lake County Workforce Development Board
1 N Genesee Street, 1st Floor, Waukegan, IL 60085 | 847-377-2224
Jennifer Serino, jserino@lakecountyil.gov
The Job Center of Lake County is an equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. All voice telephone numbers may be reached by persons using TTY/TDD equipment by calling TTY 800-526-0844 or 711. To request accommodations, please contact dharris@lakecountyil.gov or 847-377-3423.
| | | | |
