Daley College President Highlights the Key Role of Community Colleges in Manufacturing and Workforce Development

This week, tens of thousands of manufacturing technology professionals from around the world are gathering in Chicago for one of the industry’s largest trade shows—the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) 2024.

Daley College President Dr. Janine Janosky helped kick off the six-day convention by participating in a panel discussion titled “Community Colleges: Economic Engines for Manufacturing Growth” on Monday, September 9. The conversation focused on how community colleges, like the one President Janosky leads, are preparing students for success in the high-demand field of manufacturing.

President Janosky was joined by the following leaders in manufacturing education, industry, and research:

• Dr. Deb Volzer – Director of Governments and Workforce Partnerships, SME Manufacturing Imperative
• Dr. Lori Suddick – President, College of Lake County
• Dr. Vincent Boyd – District Director, Advanced Manufacturing Industry, St. Louis Community College
• Jack McKenzie – President, CollegeAPP
• Moderator: Cara Pattison – Program Manager, Manufacturing Imperative, Workforce Pipeline Challenge

Daley College is home to the Manufacturing Technology and Engineering Center (MTEC), which prepares students for careers using state-of-the-art technology. MTEC was the 2024 recipient of mHUB’s Fourth Revolution Community Empowerment Award due to its work to bring diversity, equity, and inclusion to the technology, manufacturing, and innovation spaces.

Additionally, last fall, the college’s Manufacturing Engineering Technology Program became accredited by the National Institute for Metalworking Skills, Inc. (NIMS), a certification it will hold through September 14, 2028. NIMS accreditation is the country’s only distinction for excellence in manufacturing training.