Manufacturing Connect: Partnering with Chicago Public Schools

Photo of recent fieldtrip to Matot in Bellwood, IL As Manufacturing Renaissance keeps training young people for jobs in the manufacturing sector, the organization is working to build its capacity to deliver programming in Chicago’s public schools. That’s what has been happening early this year, as the organization takes steps to work directly with four […]

Young Manufacturers Association: Update from Program Participants, Part 2

For Davon Hazelwood, learning about the field of manufacturing in recent weeks has been about learning specific technical skills, how to present himself in job interviews – and what the actual day-to-day activities inside a manufacturing company are like. Hazelwood is participating in the Young Manufacturers Association (YMA) program, Manufacturing Renaissance’s nationally recognized career pathways […]

A Look at the Future: Students Visit the International Manufacturing Technology Show

For 74 students from John Marshall Metropolitan High School on Chicago’s West Side, the world of manufacturing opened up their eyes  in new ways in September. Students attended the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), which was held by the Association for Manufacturing Technology in Chicago between September 12 and September 17. Staff from Manufacturing Renaissance […]

Andrew Crowe: Bringing Youth and Manufacturing Communities Together

Andrew Crowe has seen it all – enough to fill a very long story about his life. These days, he is doing something else: sharing his story and what he has learned to inspire young people in underserved communities about the great potential of working in the manufacturing sector. Andrew “the Mfg” Crowe works to […]

Success Story: Two Brothers On Their Way!

Kevin and William both completed our last YMA Training and worked with DeeDee Jones, MR’s Industry Coordinator, to find good jobs. They both applied to Novolex Duro Bag in Alsip, IL, but only Kevin was called back for an interview. Kevin relies on William, who owns a car, for transportation. Kevin’s interview went well but […]

Manufacturing Connect: Participants Hopeful as They Finish the Program

As the school year ends this year, participants in the Renaissance’s 12-week Manufacturing Connect program had a milestone to celebrate – the successful completion of this nationally recognized career pathways program. Twenty-one students from 11 different high schools who completed the technical training course participated in an in-person event on May 18 at Daley College. […]

Help MR Celebrate Graduating High School Seniors for Decision Day

While Decision Day has typically been about students announcing their college or university plans. This year Manufacturing Connect (MC) has 21 students who have created their own path by completing a 12-week technical training course that has prepared them for an entry -level position in the field of manufacturing. 19 participants have also earned a […]

MR is Named an Inaugural Stanley Black & Decker Makers Grant Recipient!

Chicago, IL – Stanley Black & Decker (NYSE: SWK) announced the recipients of its first “Empower Makers” Global Impact Challenge. Manufacturing Renaissance (MR) is honored to have been named as a Makers Grant Recipient for our Manufacturing Connect program and our efforts to expose, inspire and prepare high school youth for careers in manufacturing. Initiated […]

Young Manufacturers Association Spring Training Cohort Underway

Photo from left to right: Dawmonique, Brence (Instructor), Ocie, Wanya, William, Kevin. While outreach and recruitment has been an ongoing challenge throughout the pandemic, over 35 young adults expressed interest in the joining the Spring YMA Cohort. 16 of those that completed the application and interview process were accepted into the program, which launched on […]

Manufacturing Connect Participants Share First Impressions

The latest session of Manufacturing Connect, our nationally recognized career pathways program for teens, started in January. We talked with a few student participants (and an educator who connected a student to the program) to get their initial perspective about it. Jeremiah Hall “I am starting to get more interested in manufacturing,” says Jeremiah Hall, […]