Committees

Manufacturers & Educators Alliance

The Manufacturers & Educators Alliance proactively addresses the shortage of qualified employees for existing manufacturing positions with the Chamber serving as a catalyst. The primary purpose of this alliance is to define the issues and begin the process of finding solutions. Workforce development is an ultimate goal for all educators, manufacturers and businesses who serve on this Alliance.

Success will be measured by consistent activity by the Alliance to identify and research possible opportunities and collaborations that would specifically address the defined issues. Success would also be measured by the development of a white paper which would formally document the efforts by the Alliance. The group addresses a very far reaching, complex problem. There are many initiatives in our area with no overall coordination and a good deal of duplication – serving as the catalyst to coordinate these efforts in an efficient, productive manner.

As part of its purpose, the Alliance held a “Day of Discovery” at Caterpillar. Members of the committee spent the day at Caterpillar participating in a Simulated Work Environment (SWE). In August of 2008 the Alliance collaborated with Waubonsee Community College and others to host a Manufacturers and Educators Symposium at the Waubonsee Campus.

For more information, please contact Pam Bellm , at (630) 897-9214.