Based in Libertyville, Illinois, Laser Precision is a world-class innovator in metal cutting and fabrication. Their name isn’t just a title; it’s a mindset. They understand that their hard work directly impacts their customer’s success. This is why they meet delivery and on-time shipping requirements 99.92% of the time for all the products they manufacture.
Laser Precision recognized in 2017 that they needed to access a more diverse population of potential employees, expand training and development of their current workers, and needed to gain visibility in the Lake County business community. There is no doubt, that each and every employer nominated for this award has had or is having conversations around those same issues. But innovators like Laser Precision take action, and here are a few examples of how they took decisive action around their workforce needs:
- Arranged to speak to over 200 high school students at the Lake County Technology Campus (LCTC) pertaining to manufacturing careers;
- In partnership with Lake County Workforce Development (LCWD), created a job shadow opportunity to expose students to the industry and possible career path;
- Participated in 2 LCWD Career Crossroads events at local high schools to discuss Manufacturing career pathways;
- Volunteered to sit on the Workforce Board’s Employer Connection Committee, to give them valuable insight into the manufacturing Industry’s needs and provide a voice to recruitment and retention issues here in Lake County;
- Attended and hosted specialized job fairs, targeting ESL and adult learners with the College of Lake County (CLC), employees affected by area layoffs and partnering with Illinois Department of Economic Security;
- Provided financial advising assistance and tuition support for continuing education for their employees;
- Started utilizing wage data provided by LCWD, to ensure that their current employees and future employees would be paid a competitive, market wage, thereby increasing their ability to attract and retain employees;
- Implemented an internship with the Welding program at the LCTC, and;
- Participates in the Advisory and Curriculum Committee for Machine Tool Trades and Welding programs at the CLC.
Laser Precision correspondingly got involved in the advisory committees that oversee the manufacturing programs at the CLC and LCTC. They campaigned for the opening of Machine Tool and CNC programs at the LCTC and now have a projected launch date in 2020. They also, opened their doors for shop tours to over 300 students, school administrators and other Lake County employers to help shape a modern view of manufacturing. And lastly, Laser Precision have revamped their on-boarding process to fully engage employees and provide career growth opportunities benefiting over 20% of the current workforce.
In May of 2019 the Lake County Workforce Ecosystem honored Laser Precision with the Talent Innovator Award. As a family-owned company, Laser Precision understands the greatest asset the company has is its employee base, both new and experienced. Laser Precision has taken a long view approach to developing talent that extends beyond the company’s walls. They have become a thought leader in workforce development, playing an instrumental role in shaping strategies that will benefit Lake County and the manufacturing industry as a whole.