The Makers on the Move bus tour began on Manufacturing Day, Friday, Oct. 7, at the College of Lake County’s new Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee. From there, the fully wrapped, 56-foot bus travelled throughout state accompanied by industry advocates, educators, economic development organizations, public officials and other dignitaries.
On Monday, Oct. 10, the tour was welcomed to Chicago by Mayor Lori Lightfoot during a stop at Howe Corp., a fourth-generation family-owned manufacturer specializing in refrigeration equipment and flake ice machines.
“On behalf of our city, I am pleased to welcome the Makers on the Move bus tour that will demonstrate to local high schools, colleges and manufacturers that there are many sustainable, important career pathways in this field to take advantage of,” Mayor Lightfoot said. “I applaud the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association’s advocacy and dedication to strengthening our labor market and changing working peoples’ lives while uplifting our local economy.”
On Thursday, Oct. 13, the tour stopped at Watchfire Signs in Danville, Ill. Watchfire employees, including President and CEO Steve Harriott, signed the bus. Arlen Kerst, a welder at Watchfire for 10 years, gave a speech about how he learned more than a trade at Watchfire, he’s also learned character, humility, integrity and the value of working with your hands.
“If we can cultivate those values in high schools and in colleges of Illinois and communicate to and encourage the young people of our communities that they are capable of so much more than what they think, that there’s purpose in the work of their hands, we will no doubt raise up the next generation to be successful in the trades of manufacturing,” he said.
These are just a few of the 19 stops on the Makers on the Move tour. The tour made its final top on Friday, Oct. 14, at the Illinois Capitol Building. The public was invited to join in the festivities at all the tour stops to learn how to become a part of Illinois’ manufacturing industry.
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