Business Leadership Award: 2023

Domeny Tool & Stamping Co. is a family-owned company that makes metal stampings and machined components for various industries. The company is a leader in the local workforce system and economic development in several ways…

Absolute Fire Protection is an industry leader in fire protection and prevention services in Northern Illinois with strong ties to the community. The company has a great need for skilled talent to install, test, repair, and perform maintenance on fire sprinkler systems — a critical role that encompasses many different skill sets.

Founded in 1857, Klein Tools is a family owned and operated company that designs and manufacturers premium quality, professional-grade hand tools for electricians and other tradespeople. Like many manufacturers, finding skilled talent has become increasingly difficult over the past decade.

The Chicago Lighthouse has been helping individuals from Chicago’s marginalized communities for 117 years, specifically helping people who are blind or visually impaired since the 1920s. The organization’s main focus, particularly for Employment Services Program, are individuals living in low-income, high-need communities.

The Business Services team from the Workforce Services Division of Will County nominates Jen Cook and NFI Industries for the Business Leadership Award. We met Jen back in March 2023, and it has developed into a true partnership for our On-The-Job Training program. Jen has been amazing at communicating where the OJT candidates are in their pipeline.

Liberty Steel and Wire in Peoria, Illinois, is a nominee for the Business Leadership Award for their partnership and collaboration on a new apprenticeship program for electrical apprentices in 2022. Working with Career Link and Illinois Central College, Liberty Steel developed a two-year training apprenticeship curriculum to provide employees with opportunities to upskill, receive promotions, and increase their wages.

V.I.D.A. Bottega, LLC, is a small minority owned company with big dreams that began with the help of the Illinois Small Business Development Center at Champaign County EDC. They heard about Incumbent Worker Training (IWT) as part of their membership at the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce.  V.I.D.A sought out the East Central Illinois workNet Center to ensure their success and are now sharing their success with other business owners.

Jacksonville Machine Inc. was referred to West Central Development Council (LWIA 21) in March 2023 by the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC). Located in Jacksonville, Illinois, Jacksonville Machine is a family owned and operated “state-of-the-art” CNC machine shop that has been in business since 1919. The company of 58 employees was looking to retain, train, and grow their workforce as they were striving to keep up their commitments to customers such as Caterpillar, John Deere, and other high profile companies.

The City of Collinsville has been instrumental in the creation and success of the first Registered Apprenticeship program for High School students with disabilities. The program created in a partnership between the US Department of Labor (USDOL), Madison County Employment and Training, the city of Collinsville, and Collinsville School District Unit 10.

With the implementation of the Robotics Automation and the training our employees received, Three Z Printing had a few main goals we wished to accomplish. The goals were split into two categories: positive benefits for our employees and increased production capacity for our business. What was realized as the training completed and production started was that using the new robotic automation more that met our expectations.

MAC Medical, Inc. is an industry leader in manufacturing high-quality stainless steel and laminate healthcare equipment. Utilizing state-of-the-art equipment including a 3D CAD solid modeling system, fully automated fabrication line, and a team of highly skilled craftsmen and women, MAC Medical produces American made equipment that is built to last and unparalleled in the marketplace.