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A Pathway to Inclusive Manufacturing

By
North Branch Works
January 6, 2025

North Branch Works is committed to fostering economic growth and community development through strategic partnerships.

We are thrilled to announce our collaboration with Manufacturing Renaissance (MR), a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to revitalizing communities through inclusive manufacturing initiatitives.

Since its founding in 1982, MR has addressed the challenges posed by the decline in manufacturing jobs while leveraging this sector's potential to drive racial equity, economic inclusion, and community growth. We are excited to support this mission and contribute to the success of impactful programs.

Manufacturing Renaissance has created pathways into manufacturing careers for Chicago's youth and young adults through two key programs:

  • Young Manufacturers Association (YMA): This program is designed for young adults ages 18-29 who are pursuing or exploring careers in manufacturing. YMA provides a supportive peer network, career coaching, wrap-around services, employer liasons to address workplace challenges, and technical training.
  • Manufacturing Connect (MC): A nationally recognized program for in-school teens ages 14-18, which exposes students to manufacturing careers, prepares them with essential skills, and connects them to opportunities in the industry.

Graduates of both programs are well-prepared for success and achieve industry-recognized credentials, including the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) certification, ensuring they bring valuable skills and knowledge to the workforce.

Our partnership with Manufacturing Renaissance allows us to support manufacturers in several meaningful ways.

Here are some ways that you can suppport these important intitiatives:

  • Hosting a 40-hour paid internship. We provide participants with real-world experience in a manfuacturing setting. The internship stipend is fully funded by Manufacturing Renaissance, allowing companies to focus on mentorship and skill-building.
  • Providing an 8-hour paid job shadowing experience. Participants can observe a day in the life of a manufacturer's operations, fully funded by Manufacturing Renaissance. This experience helps participants better understand industry roles and workplace expectations.
  • Facilitating a field trip and tour of a manufacturing facility. We offer students and young adults a chance to see company operations up close. These tours inspire and educate participants, showing them what a career in manufacturing looks like.
  • Creating a pathway to employment. We collaborate with MR to identify promising talent from their programs who could join a company's workforce and contribute to their operations.

Each of these opportunities helps connect Chicago's untapped talent to meaningful careers in manufacturing while addressing the sector's growing need for skilled professionals.

Our partnership with Manufacturing Renaissance will create lasting positive change in our neighborhoods. We are proud to be part of this initiative and look forward to its continued success.

If you are a manfuacturer with interest in any of these opportunities, please contact Genevieve Cook at 773-929-5552 x2236 or genevieve@northbranchworks.org.

Your involvement can make a positive difference in the lives of young people and contribute to the growth of the manufacturing sector.

Image credit: Manufacturing Renaissance

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