Manufacturers report hiring, county agency highlights job fairs and training options
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Summary
Staff and business representatives told the Stephenson County planning committee that several local manufacturers are expanding and hiring, and promoted workforce resources and training partnerships to connect residents with jobs.
Andrea, a county staff member, told the committee on Nov. 3 that Manufacturing Day events and employer outreach drew robust interest from area high school students and employers and that several local manufacturers are expanding and recruiting. She said Berner is adding a milk intake bay, Savencia is expanding production despite equipment lead times, and Elkay is moving product lines from Savannah into Freeport and occupying more space in Lincoln Business Park. She also said Honeywell and other firms are hiring for maintenance, warehousing and quality-assurance roles.
Staff described local services and events intended to connect job seekers and employers. The Workforce Connections office in the 524 Building (second floor) was identified as a free resource offering resume, interview and job-search assistance; IllinoisJobLink was recommended as an online searchable resource. Highland Community College and Freeport High School will co-host a career and job fair Nov. 12 that was capped at 45 participating employers because of space constraints.
Committee members and staff discussed training pathways and partnerships. Staff described the Success Network grant linking high-school career pathways with college credentials and said Highland Community College offers short-term training this fall — examples cited included lean manufacturing, cybersecurity and an HR cohort supported by grant funding. Staff also raised the idea of asking manufacturers to fund or host short, targeted classes in precision measuring (micrometers, calipers) and blueprint reading to prepare candidates for manufacturing-shop needs.
The committee discussed use of artificial intelligence in workplace training and marketing, with members noting businesses are experimenting with AI but that depth of adoption varies. Staff also highlighted that the county maintains a Tuesday newsletter and will include college training flyers to improve awareness.
Why it matters: committee members framed these updates as local economic development and workforce-alignment activity intended to fill current openings and reduce hiring friction by combining employer demand with training and outreach.