Media Center
Parent Mentorship Program Receives 2025 Excellence in Collaboration Award
The Lake County Workforce Development Board (LCWDB) was recognized with the Excellence in Collaboration Award at the 2025 Illinois Workforce Summit, held May 8-9 in Peoria. This award recognizes an initiative or project demonstrating how collaboration across partners in the workforce ecosystem produces high-quality results for job seekers and/or employers.
2025 State of the Workforce Event Shows Strong Outlook
Hosted by Lake County Workforce Development, the Job Center of Lake County, and Lake County Partners, the 2025 "State of the Workforce" event, held January 29, offered valuable insights into the economic and workforce future of Lake County. Jeff Hubert, Business Services Project Lead with Lake County Workforce Development, noted that Lake County experienced a 5.8% wage growth, outpacing national trends. It was an indication of economic strength, he said, while also underscoring, “the need to align wages with rising livings costs.”
Thousands of Lake County Students Get Peek Into Potential Careers; ‘They don’t know what they don’t know’
Thousands of young students got a hands-on look into potential careers during the Career Navig8 Lake event at the Lake County Fairgrounds. Throughout the day, 4,200 middle and high school students explored displays and activities from more than 100 area businesses and employers, according to Gina Schuyler, administrator for careers and community partnerships with Grayslake Community High School.
CLC, in Partnership with LCWDB, Secures $3.5 million Equity Grant to Create Clean Energy Jobs
CLC, in partnership with LCWDB, received a $3.5 million grant as part of the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO). This program supports initiatives to create a pipeline of qualified workers for jobs in the clean energy sector, such as EV automotive technology, heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), energy efficiency audits and building and home inspection.
Madeline Alesia Joins Board Staff
No stranger to the Lake County workforce development system, Madeline "Maddie" Alesia has now joined the Board staff as Project Lead Planner. We are thrilled to have Maddie on the team and recently sat down for a chat to get to know her a bit better.
Fischer Paper Products Receives 2024 Community Investment Award
At the Lake County Partners 2024 Big Event, Lake County Workforce Development Board Member Josh Fischer and the entire team at Fischer Paper Products were recognized with the 2024 Community Investment Award for their commitment to Lake County and investment in workforce partnerships and the talent pipeline.
2024 Summer Youth Employment Program Application Period Open
The application period for the 2024 Summer Youth Employment Program is now open. This popular program, funded by the Lake County Board, will provide meaningful work experiences in various worksites for approximately 175 young people this summer. Applications will be accepted through April 20, 2024.
DCEO and IMEC Launch Made in Illinois Grant Program to Boost Manufacturing
Governor Pritzker, DCEO, and IMEC have launched $1 million in funding for the Made in Illinois Grant Program. The Made in Illinois program provides up to $50,000 in matching grant funding to small- and mid-sized Illinois manufacturers to support innovation and strategic advancements in manufacturing.
Lake County Workforce Development Board Kicks Off First-of-its-Kind Apprenticeship Training Initiative for Local Youth-Serving Agencies
Supported by FHI 360’s National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL), the Lake County Workforce Development Board (LCWDB) is kicking off Illinois’ first-ever Youth Development Practitioner Apprenticeship (YDPA) training initiative.
Lake County Businesses Spent $1.2B on Building Projects the Past 5 Years
Lake County Partners President and CEO Kevin Considine said the development of a strong workforce, particularly for 21st-century manufacturing, is due to a partnership with the College of Lake County and Lake County Workforce Development.