Arlington Heights manufacturing expo showcases new image, jobs

Ironically, while so many people are looking for jobs, many local manufacturers are looking for qualified, skilled employees to fill hundreds of job openings.

To address these issues, Medusa Consulting Group Inc. is presenting the Midwest Manufacturing Expo and Job Fair from 1 to 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 5, at the Forest View Educational Center, 2121 S. Goebbert Road, Arlington Heights.

This event is geared toward three audiences: jobseekers with manufacturing training and background; returning veterans with transferable skills and high school and college students with an interest in a manufacturing career.

“Manufacturers across the region are desperately looking for employees with manufacturing experience,” explained Rand Haas, President of Medusa Consulting Group, a Medinah-based consulting firm specializing in manufacturing. “In fact, some have had to turn down business because they do not have enough employees to produce the orders.” Compounding this problem, he added, is the outdated image of manufacturing as offering only low-skill, low wage jobs. Many of today’s youth do not even bother to apply for open positions because they think manufacturing is boring.

Haas points out many manufacturers have stopped advertising for help, because they get flooded with hundreds of resumes from unqualified jobseekers. “That’s why this Manufacturing Expo and Job Fair is inviting jobseekers with manufacturing training or background,” he added. He expects over 100 manufacturers, suppliers and education and training providers to participate in this unique event. It also is designed to improve the image of manufacturing.

Medusa Consulting is teaming with the Illinois workNet Center of Northern Cook County, DCEO, ComEd, IMEC, CHAMPION Now, Manufacturing Careers Inc., the Midwest / Illinois Reshoring Initiative, WCPT-AM/FM, the Golden Corridor Manufacturing Group, the Manufacturing Skill Standards Council and others to launch this first event. “We want to show the American public that American manufacturing is very much alive and doing quite well,” said Haas.

For information and registration go to: www.medusainc.com or the IDES site at: www.ides.illinois.gov/page.aspx?item=2322.