| Upcoming Events |
February 24, 2009
Wind Energy Business 2009 Conference
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April 29-30, 2009
Sustainable Manufacturing Summit
Learn more and sign up
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| About Us |
The Chicago Manufacturing Renaissance Council (CMRC) is a partnership of the region's labor, business, government, education and community leaders working together to establish the Chicago area as a global leader in high-performance, high value-added manufacturing. Why manufacturing? |
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CMRC Programs
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Austin Polytechnical Academy (APA)a
Located in the West Side neighborhood of Austin, APA's mission is to to train the next generation of workers and leaders in the manufacturing economy. The innovative pre-engineering curriculum combines job shadowing and industry-recognized accreditation to prepare students for college, careers, or both. APA is now operated by the Center for Polytechnical Education, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to developing and replicating the APA model. For more information, visit austinpolytech.com.
Chicago Green Manufacturing Network
A new initiative to anchor the global supply chain for
wind turbine manufacturing in Chicago. The program aims to connect wind
energy Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), companies from around
the world that design and assemble turbines, to local manufacturing
companies that can produce the highly specialized, technologically
complex turbine parts that OEMs need.
Manufacturing Works
Manufacturing Works supports high-road economic development and helps
to increase the market share of Chicago-based manufacturing companies
by making it easier to recruit, hire and train qualified workers. The
program is demand-driven and specializes in meeting the
high-performance manufacturers' needs for a highly-skilled workforce.
Manufacturing Works also provides "lean" training to help manufacturers
cut costs and increase performance. For more information, visit chicagomfgworks.com.
Learn about our other projects
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Message from the Executive Director
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Green Jobs,
Sustainable Development, and the CMRC
By Dan Swinney
"Green Jobs" is the new buzzword reflecting two important
necessities and opportunities. We must address the environmental crisis, particularly our overuse of fuels,
chemicals and processes that put our society and the
planet at risk. Sooner or later, leaders of industrial development must also lead in solving the problems caused by industrialization.
In creating new solutions, manufacturers tie
into new markets, creating new wealth and new jobs. The CMRC has engaged this reality in three ways.
Read more
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| Community Colleges and Manufacturing Conference |
 On Monday, January 26th, the CMRC and its West Suburban Chapter held a conference on Community Colleges and Manufacturing. Keynote speaker U.S. Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL) addressed over 140 manufacturers, educators, trade association representatives, workforce development organizations, and training providers in Schaumburg. Rep. Bean spoke to the importance of strong, industry-focused and standards-based manufacturing programs as a critical step toward a workforce pipeline for manufacturers.
Read more
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| Toward a National Skills Standards System Forum |
On Tuesday, January 27th, the CMRC and Daley College hosted a conversation on national skills standards for manufacturing industries. The conversation focused on the importance of skills standards and credentialing systems our economy.
The event featured speakers Jim Wall of the National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS), Ray Prendergast of the Jane Addams Resource Corporation, and Sylvia Wetzel of Bison Gear and the Manufacturing Skills Standards Council (MSSC).
Read more |
Emily DeRocco to Address CMRC Advisory Board
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 Emily
DeRocco, President of the Manufacturing Institute and
Senior Vice President of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) will address the CMRC Advisory Board at its March 18th
meeting.
Emily has identified the CMRC
as a model for labor and business collaboration, particularly in the context of
the controversial Employee Free Choice Act. Emily will discuss the importance of strengthening and expanding
CMRC-like partnerships in order to address the
critical issues that face labor, business, and the economy. Emily also has expressed an interest in
collaborating with the CMRC to replicate its model partnership
nationally.
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The CMRC Approach to Sustainable Development
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When we say "sustainable development," we mean development that is environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable and restorative. By "sustainable," we mean that it can be a permanent trend in our society with creative and hard work. By "restorative," we mean that the status quo from an environmental, health, social, or economic framework isn't adequate. We can and must do better and set a much higher standard.
 A commitment to sustainable development lies at the heart of creating the kind of common will among all stakeholders of the firm and community that can give us the competitive advantage we need in advanced manufacturing. When people's health improves, when they are well paid and secure, and when they are treated fairly, their creative potential is unstoppable. That's what development in Chicago is all about.
Read more
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