More than 80 area high school students received on-the-job manufacturing experience through another successful summer of the Manufacturing Pathways Internship Program.
The students participated in a 10-week internship experience June 3 through August 9 at 15 employers throughout the county. Interns worked up to 29 hours per week, receiving mentorship opportunities and experiencing the world of manufacturing, including various products, job duties, and cultures.
“Each year, we see more students discovering their potential in manufacturing thanks to these internships,” said Catherine Jones, Associate Vice President of Workforce Development at McHenry County College (MCC). “This program is not only preparing students for in-demand, high-skill careers—it’s also strengthening the local economy by building a pipeline of talent that our regional employers rely on. We’re proud to lead this effort in partnership with the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium.”
The student interns earn $16 per hour. Participating employers were able to receive reimbursement for 50% of those wages thanks to the Illinois Community College Board Taking Back the Trades grant and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds awarded through the Advance McHenry County grant.
The high school internship program provides the opportunity for local employers to showcase the variety of manufacturing jobs available within the community.
“The program is a win for all involved,” said Jason Mueller, Division Manager at Xact Wire EDM in Cary. “It’s a win for students who get real life job experience while getting paid. It’s a win for employers who can promote their business, reach new crowds, involve their employees in a meaningful cause, and get extra help over the summer.”
Employers benefit even more by hiring some of these interns into permanent part- and full-time rolls after the internship ends, Mueller added.
“This has been a valuable tool for filling positions that are historically tough to fill, such as CNC operators for second and third shift. The program is also a win for the manufacturing community as a whole. More students are becoming aware of all that manufacturing offers. Those already planning to enter the field get a huge head start by witnessing everything that happens before and after a part is made,” he said.
Based on results from the program’s first three years, many students go on to take manufacturing courses at MCC, apply for apprenticeships, or secure part-time or full-time positions with local manufacturers. So far, the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium has documented 28 permanent hires directly linked to the high school internship experience.
The interns were celebrated at a reception for them and their families August 7 at the College. At the reception, Dr. Patrick Enright, Assistant Superintendent at Richmond-Burton District 157, and Curtis Menke, College and Career Counselor at McHenry Community High School District 156, moderated a panel of student interns to discuss their experiences.
MCC provides training for a wide variety of skilled trade programs through its new Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation (CATI). Programs include precision machining, HVAC, welding, engineering technology, and more. Students interested in enrolling or learning more should visit the CATI webpage.
Since 2019, the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium (MPC) has focused on expanding the manufacturing workforce pipeline. Membership in the consortium currently consists of 106 manufacturing companies, 15 educational institutions, and 44 community partner organizations. For more on the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium, visit www.mfgpathways.com.