July 2025

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A Unique Approach to Recruiting Talent: The Cook County Manufacturing Apprenticeship Accelerator

The Cook County Manufacturing Apprenticeship Accelerator (CCMAA) program, through a collaboration with Skills for Chicago (Skills), provides a concierge service for manufacturers by identifying and screening candidates for earn-and-learn employment opportunities.

M3 Chicago asked Chelsey Echevarria, senior employer services manager at Skills, "What sets CCMAA apart from other apprenticeship programs?"

“We flip the model,” she said, “by starting with the employer, assessing the demand and hiring need.”

Skills searches for potential candidates through its network of over 50 trusted community-based organizations and credentialing partners. Once a candidate is hired, Skills provides referrals for wraparound services to eligible employees. These services come at no cost to either the employee or the manufacturer.

Freedman Seating Company, a transportation seating and safety solutions supplier, recruited a welder through Skills. Craig Freedman said, "Skills for Chicago is an important partner; it has both the human capital and technology to find good candidates."

Think your manufacturing company could benefit from participating in CCMAA?

Illinois Awards $1.35M to Boost Manufacturing Innovation

Governor Pritzker, DCEO, and IMEC have announced the 2025 recipients of the Made in Illinois Grant Program.

This year, 29 small and mid-sized manufacturers across the state, including many in the Chicagoland area, will share $1.35 million in funding to fuel innovation, efficiency, and growth. The program, launched in 2024, has now delivered over $3 million in capital grants to 69 manufacturers statewide.

Learn more and view the full list of recipients at www.imec.org/madeinillinois

CMMC requirements are now embedded in DoD contracts, making compliance no longer optional. This free webinar from IMEC will break down what this rule means for contractors and subcontractors, how it impacts bidding and renewals, and the steps manufacturers must take to remain eligible for government contracts.

This year’s event will provide opportunities for engagement, networking, and knowledge sharing, as well as an opportunity to tour MxD’s research facility that is used to test and demonstrate new manufacturing and workforce training technologies, as well as need for cybersecurity in manufacturing. As part of the National Defense Industrial Association, the NDIA Great Lakes Chapter Annual Meeting serves as a connector for the aerospace and defense communities across the Midwest.

Join 1,600+ innovators, tech leaders, creators, and changemakers for one of the summer’s most anticipated gatherings, the mHUB Community BBQ, featuring a can't-miss chicken wing showdown where grill master's compete for flavor supremacy, a trophy, and a $300 cash prize.

Manufacturing leaders often face critical choices about pricing, hiring, capital investment, and operational efficiency, without the clarity they need to move forward with confidence. Join TMA and fellow manufacturers for this session exploring a financial framework for activating six essentials financial functions within your company.

2025 has been the most challenging time since Covid to manage global sales, supply chains and procurement. The landscape has changed dramatically in the last 6 months, so much so that some changes happened multiple times within the same week. Join IMEC and Paul Jarzombek from LR INTERNATIONAL INC. and the Illinois District Export Council for a global trade update as of mid-year 2025.

This event will bring together government leaders and industry experts from across the world. Leading voices in the industry will discuss the latest developments, trends, challenges, and opportunities in aviation. Attendees will hear discussions on new technologies, the impact of geopolitical events, competition in the global market, and the industry’s charge towards a more sustainable future.

Compete, Innovate, and Scale: Manufacturing Accelerator Program

Offered by Initiative for a Competitive Inner City, ICIC's new Manufacturing Accelerator Program is a tuition-free, virtual 12 week executive education program designed for small manufacturing companies, providing the education, tools, and actionable strategies needed to grow and thrive in today's competitive marketplace. MAP can help you:

• Develop and implement a profitable, growth-oriented business strategy
• Enhance operational efficiency and technology integration 
• Strengthen leadership and organizational capabilities 
• Secure capital for expansion

The program kicks-off on August 6, 2025. Spots are limited, learn more and apply today here.

Small manufacturers: grow with help from The Source

Supporting small manufacturers is essential to sustaining long-term economic growth, and the Cook County Small Business Source is a key partner in that effort. The Source provides a vital support system for local manufacturers by offering no-cost, one-on-one business advising, technical assistance, and access to funding opportunities. 

Whether it's navigating supply chain challenges, expanding production capabilities, or applying for grant programs, The Source can help manufacturers grow, innovate, and thrive.