HOW DID THE WOODWORKERS TRAINING PROGRAM COME ABOUT?
The Woodworkers Training Program came about from a 4-year partnership between the business community, represented by the Industrial Council of Nearwest Chicago (ICNC), and GWTP to link business retention and expansion efforts with community employment and training initiatives.
The training program's design is the result of a 2-year, in-depth study funded by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. Based on a survey of local employers, economic development experts, and workers, the study concluded that:
Wood manufacturing is a viable industry in the Greater West Town Area. There are 91 woodworking firms, which employ about 1,900 workers, in this area alone.
The lack of qualified, entry-level employees is a problem for local woodworking firms.
Entry-level, semi-skilled wood manufacturing technicians earn good beginning wages with opportunities for advancement.
No local woodworking program existed to address the needs of local wood manufacturing firms.
Among the study's achievements: it created a detailed curriculum reflecting the needs of local firms; it mobilized local firms in support of the program; it linked the business community with local educational institutions; it helped define training facility and equipment requirements.
