Grant Will Provide Training for 3,000 Employees at 61 Companies
CHICAGO – Continuing to invest in the skills of Illinois’ working men and women, Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich today announced an $880,000 workforce training grant to the Valley Industrial Association (VIA), an Aurora-based, not-for-profit trade association that represents manufacturers and those companies who serve manufacturers in Northeast Illinois. The grant will help train 3,000 individuals in 61 member companies across Kane, Kendall, DeKalb and DuPage counties. This funding comes as a part of Opportunity Returns, the Governor’s pro-active, comprehensive economic development strategy designed to spur economic growth and create more jobs across Northeast Illinois and throughout the state. Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Assistant Director Roxanne Nava joined with local leaders and business representatives at Dunlee/Philips Medical Systems in Aurora for the announcement.
“There’s no greater resource for any business than its people, and there’s no better way to continue expanding our economy than by investing in the skills of our workers. We have a very strong partnership with the Valley Industrial Association, and, by making these kinds of investments, we are helping companies across the Chicagoland area compete at home, across the world and create more high-paying jobs,” Gov. Blagojevich said.
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the grant, which is being awarded through the Employer Training Investment Program (ETIP), to train employees in quality-ISO-safety training and technical/workplace skills. ETIP is a new generation of employer-focused, customized training grants created through the “21st Century Jobs” Training Initiative, which reimburses companies and organizations for up to 50 percent of the costs of training their employees. Through this program, Gov. Blagojevich has invested more than $60 million to advance the skills of more than 230,000 Illinois workers at almost 4,700 companies.
“This support for training from Gov. Blagojevich and DCEO ensures the workforce of our member companies has the highest level of preparedness. Our manufacturers know that the State of Illinois is committed to helping them create a cross-trained workforce. This keeps our manufacturers in the Northeast Region vibrant, and it
makes Illinois attractive to companies who decide to relocate in order to access a well trained workforce. When fewer employees must manufacture more products in less time, training makes all the difference. Illinois gets it. It is that simple,” said Colleen M. Ruddy, President of the Valley Industrial Association.
Member companies receiving assistance include:
The Dial Corporation is a manufacturer of bar soap with a facility in Montgomery. The company shared in VIA’s ETIP grant for training that enabled the facility to expand into new product manufacturing. The grant has allowed employees to learn technology driven continuous improvement systems, and safely implement those systems into the facility. The ETIP training grant has also allowed Dial to increase the knowledge, skill, and ability of its workforce, allowing the organization to remain a competitive employer in Illinois. Contact: Hector Terriquez, Employee Manager – 630/801.5012.
Dunlee/Philips Medical Systems is a medical diagnostic X-ray tube manufacturer based in Aurora. The company has participated in DCEO’s training grant program through VIA since 1995. As a manufacturer of CT and X-ray tubes, Dunlee is a high-tech, heavily regulated operation with advanced training needs. The grant has allowed the company to continuously train employees in a variety of areas, including 3D modeling software applications, ISO internal auditing, and safety related topics. Contact: Michele Mueller, HR Generalist – 630/585.2000 ext. 2046
Miner Enterprises, Inc. is a Geneva-based company founded in 1894. The company is a leader in the design and manufacture of a wide variety of railcar components, including high capacity draft gears, TecsPak® constant contact side bearings, heavy-duty discharge devices, custom unloading systems and brake beams. Through their share of VIA’s ETIP grant, the company has trained employees on how to implement continuous improvement systems in the workplace and keep current with changing technologies. Contact: Jerry Parisek, HR Manager – 630/232.3011.
The Wrigley Company manufactures children's confectionery products (bubble gum and candy) at its facility in Yorkville. The VIA’s ETIP grant has assisted the company in developing associates at all levels and focusing on building high performance teams, as well as increasing associates’ knowledge in the area of LEAN manufacturing. These competencies are important to current and future business objectives and support Wrigley’s goal of becoming a world-class confectionary manufacturer. Contact: Marcy Bertrand, Human Resources – 630/553.4800, Ext. 766.
“One of the assets in attracting business to our state is the strength of Illinois’ workforce. Over the past four years, the state has taken many important steps to help businesses offer continued training to their workers, keeping them competitive in today's fast-paced job market. I thank DCEO for the grant assistance announced today. I believe it shows Illinois is committed to keeping our workforce strong and prepared for the demands of today and the challenges of tomorrow,” State Rep. Linda Chapa LaVia (D-Aurora) said.
“Workforce training grants like these are critical to helping companies in Aurora and across the region stay competitive so they can create better jobs for more people. Gov. Blagojevich's continued commitment to investing in the skills of our workforce positions our region to realize our enormous economic potential,” Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner said.
“Gov. Blagojevich and I have been committed to enhancing the skills of our workforce and supporting the assets that are the most desirable to business. The ETIP program continues to serve as an enormous resource for training providers like the Valley Industrial Association, which is helping area companies increase productivity, reduce costs and enhance competitiveness in today’s ultra-competitive, global economy,” DCEO Director Jack Lavin said.
Gov. Blagojevich recently announced that Illinois added more new jobs than any other state in July. In July, Illinois led the nation in monthly job growth by creating 31,100 new jobs. This is the second time this year Illinois has created more new jobs than any other state, which has never happened before in recorded history.
Illinois also led the nation in job growth in April. The total number of new jobs created this year is 76,400, which is the best start to a year since 1998, best in the Midwest and fifth in the nation. Since January 2004, Illinois has gained more than 151,000 new jobs, which is also best in the Midwest.
The Illinois unemployment rate dropped from 6.7 percent in January 2003 to 4.4 percent today, which is its lowest level since October 2000. It has remained at or below the national rate for five consecutive months, which is the first time this has happened in seven years. The state has dropped below the national unemployment rate for the third time this year, which is the first time this has occurred in eight years. The unemployment rate in the Chicagoland area has dropped from 7.1 percent in January 2003 to 4.1 percent for September 2006, which is the lowest unemployment rate in recorded history for September. The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Illinois Department of Employment Security compiled these statistics.
Site Selection Magazine also ranked the Chicagoland area the top metro region in 2005 for new and expanded business facilities, while Illinois was third in the nation in that category. Business Facilities Magazine named Illinois the top state for biotech growth last year.