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WHY MCHENRY COUNTY

Talent & Education

We have an educated and diverse workforce to meet your company’s current and future needs.

Workforce and Talent

McHenry County excels in exceeding expectations. Over the past few decades, we’re growing and prospering at an alarming rate. For businesses, this means that Mchenry County’s hassle-free, collaborative approach to doing business makes it easy for you and your employees to locate operations here.

Want to dive into the data yourself to see how McHenry County will maximize the value of your business? Whether it’s workforce, labor costs, labor availability, cost of living, or general demographic info, we’ve got it all. Check it out and let us show how McHenry County is the right place for your business.

McHenry County’s best asset is undoubtedly its workforce, which is not just available; it is productive. With more than 165,000 workers and many students attending area colleges and universities, the region can fulfill the needs of your company. While our workers are ready for the challenges of today, our significant education and training infrastructure ensures our workforce will be ready for the challenges of tomorrow.

Manufacturing Pathways is a Consortium composed of manufacturers, educators, and community partners, who are collaborating to secure a talent pipeline of highly-skilled manufacturing employees.

To do so, the Consortium raises awareness of career opportunities within the industry; connecting with educators, students, and parents, and debunking outdated myths about the industry.

Consortium members are working to identify technical and employability skill gaps, and develop solutions. Additionally, the consortium engages in collaborative hiring practices, and provides a pathway to employment for non-traditional talent.

What are Micro-Internships?

Micro-Internships are short-term, paid, professional assignments that are similar to those given to new hires or interns. These projects enable Career Launchers to demonstrate skills, explore career paths, and build their networks as they seek the right full-time role. Unlike traditional internships, Micro-Internships can take place year-round, typically range from 5 to 40 hours of work, and are due between one week and one month after kick-off. Micro-Internships are used by companies ranging from those in the Fortune 100 to emerging start-ups, and go across departments including sales, marketing, technology, HR, and finance. 

Micro-Internships are facilitated via the Parker Dewey platform, which connects Career Launchers with Companies in need of support.

The purpose of this program is to give students from all majors a chance to execute professional assignments in order to build and demonstrate skills while exploring a variety of career paths.

WORKFORCE AND EDUCATION