Sept. 02--The Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute pledged $500,000 to help fund a campaign aimed at attracting workers to manufacturing jobs.
Dennis Thompson, director of workforce development at the institute, said the money will help World Business Chicago's 1,000 Jobs for Chicagoland Manufacturing campaign "spread the gospel of manufacturing" and remind people that jobs in the industry are not dark, dirty or dangerous.
Thompson said the funds will be used to reimburse the campaign for costs throughout the next year.
The new grant brings to $1.5 million the money World Business Chicago, the city's private economic development arm, has raised for the campaign that launched in October. Its goal is to raise $1.8 million and place 1,000 workers in manufacturing jobs by the end of 2016.
"Partnering with DMDII is a natural fit as both they and 1,000 Jobs seek to raise awareness of careers in manufacturing, foster regional collaboration among workforce providers and develop demand-driven solutions to address industry needs," said Loren Dinneen, the campaign's program manager.
Previous funding includes $200,000 from the city and $640,000 in private donations from companies including Bank of America and the Illinois Manufacturers' Association, an industry group. The money has been used to advertise the program via events and digital ads and to build 1000jobscampaign.com, which lists job openings and helps workers connect with account executives.
Account executives work as job matchmakers and advisers at each of the five organizations partnering with World Business Chicago, including Kinzie Industrial Development Corp. and Bethel New Life, a nonprofit that offers training programs on the city's West Side.
World Business Chicago says 232 job seekers have been placed in jobs and 124 people have enrolled in training programs. On average, the jobs filled pay $12.28 per hour, said Shannon McGhee, a World Business Chicago spokeswoman. So far, the job retention rate is 91 percent, McGhee said.
acancino@tribpub.com
