Medline has invested $27 million to expand its product testing and development lab in Mundelein - tripling the size of the facility to make way for continued growth. The space relies on Lake County talent, employing 140+ engineers, biologists, chemists, scientists and others to support Medline's well-known reputation for safe, effective, high-quality products.
In the past 5 years, LCP has fueled 4,400 new jobs, retained nearly 4,800 jobs and driven $1.2 BILLION dollars in direct investment in the community. With plenty of projects in the pipeline, particularly in key industries like life science and manufacturing, sustainability and energy, LCP is celebrating record investment, positive economic indicators, and projections for a very busy back half of the year.
Diversity in healthcare is not just a matter of fairness - it’s about improving outcomes for the entire community. That's why the College of Lake County (CLC) has partnered with major stakeholders like Northwestern Medicine Lake Forest Hospital to establish the cutting-edge PATH initiative, creating new opportunities for those starting healthcare careers.
In the first year, CLC surpassed its goal by recruiting 1,000+ students that will go on to support Lake County’s vibrant economy as nurses, EMTs and other important roles. The majority of them identify as non-white. We went behind the scenes to see how participants are breaking down barriers while supporting Lake County's nationally-recognized healthcare systems.
You started Give Me Ten as a way to connect business leaders with talent. How does the program work?
It starts with a simple ask: Will you donate 10 hours of your time to a local student? If you can say YES, we match a student with your business for 5, 2-hour-long visits. This gives the business a taste of what a work-based learning experience looks like - it costs the business no money, just time. Learn more about the impact of Give Me Ten here.
How has Give Me Ten grown since you first started it?
We started with 6 students, all in the automotive industry, 7 years ago. Today, we have over 30 students in the automotive program. This year, the Tech Campus also adopted this model for all career pathways including culinary arts, cosmetology, building trades, welding, collision, and more. There are now more than 60 students pursuing work-based learning opportunities.
What is your hope for the future of this program?
I want more businesses to look at this model and embrace the opportunity to grow their own employees. The traditional way of hiring is not always a viable option. This model allows a business owner to shape talent in a way that benefits the business, the employee and the community.
How does Lake County talent stand out?
Lake County is a community of opportunity. We have incredible free resources, through Lake County Partners, the Tech Campus and Lake County Workforce Development, that are ready to support business and talent growth. Give Me Ten is an easy way to plug into our stellar workforce, mentor students, and benefit from highly-skilled and engaged employees.
