Leaders in government, education, and manufacturing recently gathered at Joliet Junior College (JJC) for a discussion that addressed the skills gap and what can be done to fill it. In attendance were U.S. Rep. Bill Foster, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Christopher Lu, various JJC officials, state officials, and local business leaders. The group discussed ways that open positions in manufacturing could be filled and ways to increase employment in the area. According to Pat Fera, Workforce and Investment Board of Will County Director, “JJC was amazing in doing some accelerated training” to help address the skills gap. It was also stated that vocational training needs to start with earlier age groups.

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