Manufacturing momentum: CLC’s ongoing commitment to industry

October is Manufacturing Month, and College of Lake County (CLC) is proud to celebrate the vital role manufacturing plays in Lake County’s economy, workforce and innovation ecosystem.

Each year, CLC shines a spotlight on this dynamic industry through events that connect students, educators, employers and community members. From career fairs to hands-on experiences, these events highlight in-demand opportunities and help introduce today’s manufacturing industry to a wider audience.

Upcoming Manufacturing Month events at CLC include:

• Latinx in Manufacturing Pop-Up

  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1 at the Lakeshore Campus in Waukegan. This casual, drop-in event intentionally crosses over with Latinx Heritage Month and is designed to shift commonly held perceptions of the manufacturing industry. Students and community members will explore hands-on stations, connect with Latinx professionals and learn about career paths, training programs and apprenticeships.

• Apple in China: Lessons in Manufacturing, Scale and Strategy

  4-5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Grayslake Campus. This event provides an exclusive opportunity to hear directly from Financial Times correspondent and best-selling author Patrick McGee. The community is invited to gather in the James Lumber Center for the Performing Arts as McGee joins virtually to discuss the complex and often hidden dynamics between Apple and China—one of the world’s most influential partnerships in tech and manufacturing. Pre-registration is recommended. Event sponsored by Old National Bank.

• Women in Manufacturing

  4:30-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at the Lakeshore Campus. This event will highlight career opportunities for women in manufacturing through a panel of female industry leaders and an apprentice. Pre-registration is recommended.

• Manufacturing Career and Internship Fair

  11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 24 at the Grayslake Campus. This event will provide a forum for job seekers to connect with potential employers and explore job and internship opportunities in manufacturing.

• Engineering Night

  5:30-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 30 at the Grayslake Campus. This event will raise awareness about engineering careers through hands-on demonstrations and discussions with transfer universities, industry professionals and CLC faculty. Register to attend.

The events above are free to attend and open to all. In addition to these open community events, CLC will host targeted programs for high school students to explore how apprenticeships can lead to various manufacturing careers.

Manufacturing Month may take place in October, but CLC’s dedication to the industry continues year-round. Through the Manufacturing Alliance, CLC unites manufacturers and key community stakeholders to align education with industry needs—ensuring Lake County remains a hub for modern manufacturing.

“Collaboration is the engine that makes this ecosystem thrive,” said Jim Connell, executive director of community programs at CLC. “When manufacturers, educators and workforce leaders work together, businesses grow stronger and the entire community benefits from more jobs and innovation. Our Manufacturing Alliance is here to promote and encourage this.”

To learn more about local manufacturing and what this industry has to offer, visit www.clcillinois.edu/manufacturingmonth