Tag: workforce

Tomorrow's Workforce

Readiness: How Today’s Educators are Preparing Tomorrow’s Workforce

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We live in a world of continuous change. For educators, that creates an imposing challenge: How do you prepare the next generation for their careers when you don’t necessarily know what those careers will be?

On this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins a panel of local higher education experts to explore how they’re teaching students to be resilient, flexible, and ready for whatever’s next.

Special Guests

Dive Deeper

  • Earlier in 2025, Greg spoke to a pair of talent placement experts on the workforce gap and the challenges that Chicagoland businesses are facing. Get their take.
  • In addition to attracting the right talent, many businesses are struggling to adapt to a new generation of workers. Learn how employers are prioritizing mental health to create environments that foster healthy, productive employees on Episode 11 of the Beat.
  • In DuPage County, we have more than a strong workforce—we have a seamless pipeline of educational institutions, workforce placement programs, and engaged businesses. This pipeline helps develop next-gen talent and place the right people in the most high-demand jobs. Learn more.

As always, we’d like to thank the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

MFG Pro Series Webinar

The Incumbent Worker Training Grant: What It Is & How to Get It

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An MFG Pro Series Webinar

In this webinar, you’ll learn how to get up to $25,000 for employee training—plus access other workNet resources for DuPage County businesses.

Presenters:

  • Ron Schlager, Business Services Manager | workNet DuPage
  • Griffin Leininger, Lead Business Services | workNet DuPage

To request a copy of this presentation, please contact Choose DuPage. 

ABOUT THE MFG PRO SERIES

Hosted by Choose DuPage, the MFG Pro Series offers free webinars where Chicagoland manufacturers can hear from experts, ask questions, and hone their understanding of key issues.

workforce podcast

“All Hands On Deck” – How Chicagoland is Taking on Workforce Challenges

Posted on | by courtney

Host Greg Bedalov joins a pair of talent placement experts to break down Chicagoland’s approach to one of America’s toughest challenges: the workforce.

How can we close the gap between good talent and great job opportunities? How are people with disabilities making a difference at local businesses? And how is recent legislation impacting local workforce organizations like workNet DuPage and Parents Alliance?

Find out on this episode of the DuPage Business Beat.

Special Guests

Dive Deeper

  • DuPage County is home to a highly educated and diversely skilled workforce over 640,000-strong. Learn more about our talent pipeline and key industries here.
  • If you want to attract good talent, it helps to create a great work environment. Check out DuPage County’s “Smartest Workplaces: 2024” to learn how local employers are creating excellent workplaces to attract and retain workers.
  • And finally: Creating a great workplace is about more than cool amenities and well-designed spaces; it’s also about helping your employees stay healthy and get the support they need. To learn more, listen to last year’s episode: “Wellness that Works: Managing Mental Health in the Workplace”.

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Breakfast with the Chair: Higher Education and Workforce Development in a Digital World

Posted on | by courtney

DuPage County business leaders gathered on Wednesday, February 5th at Inland Real Estate Group for a roundtable discussion on education and the evolving digital landscape. The discussion is part of an ongoing series hosted by The Hon. Deborah Conroy, DuPage County Board Chair, and Choose DuPage, designed to provide an opportunity for the business community to connect, learn, and discuss important topics affecting DuPage County.

Lisa Schvach, Executive Director of workNet DuPage, led the discussion. Several higher education institutions in DuPage also contributed including: Aurora University, Benedictine University, College of DuPage, and Lewis University.

Parents back to work

Registration Open for “Back to School, Back to Work” Series

Posted on | by courtney

Choose DuPage, in conjunction with workNet DuPage and the College of DuPage, is excited to announce that registration is now open for its highly anticipated “Back to School, Back to Work” series of workshops taking place at the workNet DuPage Career Center in Lisle. This programming is designed to assist stay-at-home parents looking to return to the workforce. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from local employers, learn about career options, and acquire the valuable strategies needed for a successful job search.

The series will be held across three Thursday sessions in September (9/12, 9/19, 9/26) from 9:30am-11:00am. The sessions will feature presentations from job search experts, HR professionals, local educators, and members of the business community.

“We are thrilled to provide these informative sessions for parents who took a career break to take care of their families,” said Lisa Schvach, Director of workNet DuPage. “We know this segment of our community has so much to offer local employers, and our goal is to provide them with the knowledge they need to land great, new job opportunities.”

In addition to the opening of registration, workNet DuPage is proud to announce that the “Back to School, Back to Work” program was recently honored with an Achievement Award from the National Association of Counties (NACo) for its impactful efforts in 2023. This recognition underscores the program’s significant contribution to workforce development and career readiness for the stay-at-home-parent populace.

To register, or for more information about “Back to School, Back to Work,” please visit Back to School, Back to Work at workNet DuPage.

How Local Manufacturers are Developing Next-Gen Talent

Posted on | by courtney

Let’s talk talent. In this episode, host Greg Bedalov joins three experts to explore how Chicagoland manufacturers are developing and recruiting next-generation workers.

How are manufacturers dealing with labor shortages? What can parents do to broaden their kids’ career horizons? And how is one local marketing agency helping make the next generation of “Mavericks”?

Find out on the Beat.

Special Guests:

Dive Deeper:

  • This episode features Custom Direct’s Manufacturing Mavericks website, where students, parents and professionals can explore true stories about careers in the trades. Check it out.
  • We also discuss Project Hire-Ed, a College of DuPage program that combines on-the-job training and instruction for apprentices. The program’s “earn and learn” model helps students learn new skills while actively building their careers. Watch this video to learn more.
  • When it comes to solving labor challenges, DuPage County has a unique tool: our seamless talent pipeline. This network of educational institutions, businesses and programs like Project Hire-Ed develops new talent and connects good workers with great careers. Learn more about our talent pipeline.

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

Breakfast with the Chair: Workforce Development

Posted on | by courtney

DuPage County business leaders gathered on Wednesday, January 24 at CBRE in Oak Brook for a roundtable discussion on workforce development. The discussion is part of an ongoing series hosted by The Hon. Deborah Conroy, DuPage County Board Chair, and Choose DuPage, designed to provide an opportunity for the business community to connect, learn, and discuss important topics affecting DuPage County.

Pictured above: Greg Bedalov, Choose DuPage | Laticia Holbert, ComEd | DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy | Lisa Shvach, workNet DuPage

Laticia Holbert, Workforce Development Manager for ComEd led the discussion along with Lisa Shvach, Executive Director of workNet DuPage.

Some of the key takeaways include:

  • Workforce development is a compilation of comprehensive, focused actions to build economic and human capital in order to create business and community sustainability, remove barriers to decrease unemployment and underemployment and ensure a highly skilled, diverse workforce. Human resources (HR) is the division of a business responsible for finding, recruiting, screening, and training job applicants and also handle employee compensation, benefits, and terminations.
  • Employers need to be thinking about how young people are selecting work, because it’s so different than past generations. Younger generations need to see a career path laid out, they want to know what you’re doing for the community, for sustainability. It’s not just about money, they need to feel good about their work.
  • Partnering with other stakeholders in workforce development is critical. When you are creating workforce programs, utilize local workforce organizations and educational partners to help support the program. ComEd partners with organizations like Hire360, Chicago Corporate Coalition, Dawson Technical Institute, Big Shoulders Fund, Chicago Builds and Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.
  • On-the-job training (apprenticeship models) is going to be more important than ever for the development of future workforce.
  • When recruiting employees, look for potential, not just skillsets. Managers may be tempted to fill a position quickly with someone who already has a skillset. But long-term workforce development comes from investing the time into someone with the right potential.

Learn more about DuPage County’s workforce ecosystem.

People-nomics, Part 2: Housing, Aging & Inflation

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DUPAGE BUSINESS BEAT | PODCAST EP. 6

In this follow-up to “People-nomics: Part 1”, we continue our exploration of all things labor. Host Greg Bedalov and a pair of economic experts break down a wide range of workforce-related issues, including the rising cost of housing, the aging population, and the endgame of recent inflation.

Missed Part 1? Listen here.

Guests:

  • Matt Finn, CFA, Chief Economist of 1834, a division of Old National Bank
  • Glenn Mazade, SVP, Commercial Business Banking of Old National Bank

Host: Greg Bedalov, President and CEO of Choose DuPage

Dive Deeper:

  • Want to learn more about Chicagoland’s workforce? Start with the Chicagoland Economic Partnership Asset Report, a free resource that offers insights into the region’s key assets.
  • In 2023, DuPage County and Greater Chicagoland dominated Newsweek’s Greatest Workplaces list. See who made the list – and learn how these employers are reducing turnover rates while boosting employee productivity.
  • Located in the thriving Chicagoland region, DuPage County has access to a world-class talent pool. Visit the Choose DuPage workforce page to learn how our seamless pipeline helps develop next-gen talent and connects businesses with the workers they need.

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

DUPAGE BUSINESS BEAT PODCAST

Today’s biggest business issues, told from a Chicagoland perspective. A podcast about emerging industries, shifting borders, economic ecosystems, and you. Featuring experts and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage. DuPage Business Beat is produced by Choose DuPage.

People-nomics, Part 1: Automation, Immigration & The Supply Chain

Posted on | by courtney

DUPAGE BUSINESS BEAT | PODCAST EP. 5

Today’s businesses are struggling for one thing: talent. So how did we get here? What factors are influencing the labor market? And how can businesses adapt?

The answer: It’s complicated.

In today’s episode, host Greg Bedalov sits down with an economist and a banking expert to discuss all things “People-nomics” – the economics of labor.

In the first half of their two-part conversation, Greg & co. discuss how automation and immigration are impacting the labor crisis, and what a shifting global supply chain could mean for our region.

Be sure to listen to “People-nomics, Part 2”, where we’ll dive into the rising cost of housing—and discuss what the heck is happening with interest rates.

Guests:

  • Matt Finn, CFA, Chief Economist of 1834, a division of Old National Bank
  • Glenn Mazade, SVP, Commercial Business Banking of Old National Bank

Host: Greg Bedalov, President and CEO of Choose DuPage

Dive Deeper:

  • Want to learn more about Chicagoland’s workforce? Start with the Chicagoland Economic Partnership Asset Report, a free resource that offers in-depth data and insights on the region’s key assets.
  • Want better workers? Build better workplaces. Check out our Smartest Workplaces in DuPage: 2023 list to see how businesses in the Chicagoland suburbs are redefining workplace experiences.
  • Located in the thriving Chicagoland region, DuPage County has access to a world-class talent pool. Visit the Choose DuPage workforce page to learn how our seamless pipeline helps develop next-gen talent and connects businesses with the workers they need.

A special thanks to the College of DuPage for supporting today’s episode. To keep up with what’s happening in DuPage County and the Chicagoland region, follow Choose DuPage on social media or visit ChooseDuPage.com/Ready.

DuPage Business Beat Podcast

Today’s biggest business issues, told from a Chicagoland perspective. A podcast about emerging industries, shifting borders, economic ecosystems, and you. Featuring experts and entrepreneurs. Hosted by Greg Bedalov, President & CEO of Choose DuPage. DuPage Business Beat is produced by Choose DuPage.

DuPage County Trade Apprenticeship Expo

2023 DuPage County Trade Apprenticeship Expo

Posted on | by courtney

PowerForward DuPage will be hosting the 2023 DuPage County Trade Apprenticeship Expo on Wednesday, November 1st from 3:30pm – 6:30pm. The event features interactive, hands-on demonstrations by the county’s building trade organizations as well as opportunities to meet with instructors to learn more about each individual trade apprenticeship program.

“This is our annual opportunity to open the doors and invite students, parents, guidance counselors, and teachers in to learn what each trade is about and more importantly, outline the career potential that exists outside of the traditional collegiate path,” said PowerForward DuPage Executive Director Karyn Charvat. The expo started in 2018 when Charvat noticed a gap forming in the construction trade industries. It is held at the IBEW Local 701 Union Hall, home to PowerForward DuPage.

The DuPage County Trade Apprenticeship Expo is free to attend but requires online registration. Register HERE!

If you are a DuPage County educator and would like your high school to be contacted directly for participation, please contact PowerForward DuPage at 630-791-2660.

Location:
IBEW Local 701 Union Hall
28600 Bella Vista Parkway
Warrenville, IL 60555