Building the Manufacturing Workforce of Tomorrow—Today

IMA (Illinois Manufacturing Association) 2023 CCPE Scholarship

The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), in partnership with Education Systems Center at NIU (EdSystems), is now offering a scholarship to Illinois students who:

1. Will graduate high school in 2024 or previously graduated
2. Have earned the CCPE (College and Career Pathway Endorsement) in Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades (METT)
3. And are planning to continue their education or work in manufacturing, welding, or engineering.

This $500 scholarship can be put towards tuition, fees, supplies, textbooks, room, board, job training equipment and uniforms, or other barrier reduction costs that arise. The scholarship awards will be sent directly to students upon postsecondary enrollment or starting work. 

Deadline to apply is May 31. 

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May 31st, 2024 12:00 AM

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Summer Manufacturing Tour - WA The Diemasters

Founded in 1948 on Chicago’s West Side, Weiss-Aug Group / The Diemasters has been making high precision parts and assemblies for almost 80 years. Today, they are located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and they serve customers throughout the U.S., producing more than 250,000 stamped parts, assemblies, and fabrications every day. Engineers at Diemasters use AutoCad, Solidworks, and other well-known software systems to design, prototype, and test tooling for new products. The Diemasters' production processes include progressive precision metal stamping, Mig and Tig welding, both automated and assembly using robots.

Students on a The Diemasters tour will get to see the high-tech press lines, with up to a 350 Ton capacity, produce parts and assemblies used in the automotive, aerospace, hardware, and medical industries. Plus, Diemasters is eager to hire young people interested in manufacturing careers. Students on a The Diemasters tour should be sure to ask about their apprenticeship program that offers tuition reimbursement for an Associates Degree.

June 18th, 2024 09:00 AM - June 18th, 2024 11:00 AM

WA The Diemasters,2100 Touhy Ave, Elk Grove Village

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Summer Manufacturing Tour - Tox Pressotechnik

Tox-Pressotechnik began in 1978 in Germany. Today, they are represented across in the globe in 40 different countries, including China, India, Brazil, and, of course, here in the United States. Tox creates the high-tech machinery used to join metal. Their custom machines are used in the automotive, aerospace, medical, solar, and battery industries, by well-known companies such as BMW, Bosch, and Audi. Engineers, machinists, welders, technicians and more all work together to ensure that Tox machinery leads the market in innovation, productivity, quality, safety, low operating costs, and low environmental impact.

Students on a Tox tour will see the hands-on work that goes into building a Tox machine. Plus, like at Diemasters, Tox is happy to provide work-based learning opportunities to students. Over the years, Tox has employed many student interns, apprentices, and other young people looking to launch their manufacturing careers.

July 16th, 2024 09:00 AM - July 16th, 2024 11:00 AM

Tox-Pressotechnik, 4250 Weaver Parkway, Warrenville

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