Durbin Announces $2.67 Million Federal Training Grant for Chicago Education and Manufacturing Coalition
[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced that the Manufacturing Careers & College Connect (MCCC) Program in Chicago, Illinois – led by Manufacturing Renaissance, in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Daley College, and local employers – has received a $2,670,909 federal grant through the Department of Labor's Youth CareerConnect Program.
“This federal funding is a direct investment in our students, our schools, and our economy,” Durbin said. “By expanding opportunities for students to grow their skills and connect with local employers, this program will help ensure that they have the education, training, and connections to find jobs in growing and in-demand industries.”
Funding for the MCCC program was announced today by President Obama as one of twenty-four Youth CareerConnect grants awarded to community throughout the country. The Youth CareerConnect grant program is designed to encourage local school districts, institutions of higher education, the workforce investment system, and their partners to scale up evidence-based high school models that are preparing students for careers and post-secondary education in growing industries.
The MCCC program will replicate a successful program at Austin Polytechnical Academy that offers integrated academic and career readiness services to help prepare students for college and careers after graduation in science, technology, engineering, and manufacturing fields. With this funding, the MCCC program will serve a total of 960 participants in grades 9 – 12 through expanded career mentoring, field trips to local manufacturing companies and trade shows, job shadowing experience, paid internship, summer jobs, and opportunities to acquire industry-recognized credentials.
Local manufacturing and employer partners in the MCCC coalition include: Arrow Gear Company; C. Cretors and Company; DeCardy DieCasting; Dudek-Bock; Freedman Seating Company; Hudson Precision Products; Kay Manufacturing Company; Matrix Tooling; P-K Tool & Manufacturing; Plymouth Tube Company; Tempel Steel; WaterSaver Faucet; and WM Dudek Manufacturing.