The Land of Lincoln Workforce Alliance (LLWA) state-funded, innovative, sector-based, manufacturing project in collaboration with the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) was designed to engage, attract, and retain employees by delivering occupational, workforce, management, leadership, and DEIA trainings. For many years, manufacturing companies in Local Workforce Area 20 have discussed their need for more occupational skills training opportunities, funding to assist with that training, and better ways to attract and retain employees. LLWA and IMEC believe that quality, customized training programs with defined career pathways are the solution to workforce challenges, and the answer to developing the workforce of the future.
Success of the project relied on robust planning, implementation, strategy, and partnerships with several stakeholders and businesses. IMEC has a team of industry-improvement experts to tackle tough workforce challenges and instill best practices across all aspects of organizations. They are dedicated to providing small and mid-sized manufacturers in Illinois with the tools and techniques to excel and compete globally.
In eight months, IMEC and LLWA staff coordinated 198 employees from 6 manufacturing companies in 17 separate training sessions that included:
Continuous Improvement
- Process Mapping
- 5S Kaizen (workplace organization)
- Quick Changeover (SMED)
- Lean 101 w/Simulation and Just Do It
Quality Systems
- GD&T
- Blueprint Reading
Workforce Development
- Training Within Industry (Job Instructions, Job Relations)
- DEIA – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility
- DiSC
- Leadership Development
- Change Management
- Supervisory Training/Executive Coaching
Additionally, IMEC sub-contracted CDL training in order for a local manufacturer to address costs associated with delivery of their products. The return on these investments will not only greatly benefit these manufacturers and these employees, but they will positively impact our local workforce and economic development in many ways for years to come.