It is estimated that 30,000 – 50,000 jobs remain open in Chicagoland. The cost for positions remaining open is considerable – according to CareerBuilder, “a company loses, on average, $14,000 for every job that remains open for more than three months.” World Business Chicago’s (WBC) new 1000 Jobs for Chicagoland Manufacturing Campaign seeks to bridge the skills gap for the manufacturing industry by creating a network for employers and job seekers, offering training, and other workforce development resources. Representatives are available for consultation, and numerous events and open houses are planned. The program website (1000JobsCampaign.com) features information and job listings. It is estimated that if the program is successful, it can result in $400 million in economic growth, placing Chicagoland in a strong spot as a global manufacturing leader.

Click here for more information on the Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC) website.