Beyond Business Friendly

Business Meets Talent

As one of the nation’s largest employment hubs with over 2 million people within a 35 minute drive of Elk Grove Village, the Village is the ideal location to grow in the Chicago market.

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Meet the Next Generation of Talent

Elk Grove Village connects you to one of Illinois’ greatest assets: future-ready talent. With a strong pipeline of graduates from top Illinois high schools, colleges, and universities, businesses can power their growth with the next generation of skilled workers.

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Your Talent Pool is Closer than You Think

It’s easy traveling to Elk Grove Village. Employers benefit from Chicagoland’s extensive transportation network, connecting them to a large, skilled workforce. This convenient location fuels talent acquisition and drives business growth.

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Turn Workforce Development into a Competitive Edge

Elk Grove Village teams up with local organizations to help you expand your talent pool, elevate employee skills, and boost retention (like never before). Through our partnerships we help connect you with access to training, resources, and support that strengthen your team and drive business success.

Young people talking.

Harper College

Located in Chicago’s northwest suburbs, Harper College, a public community college, offers associate degrees, certification programs, advanced career training, and more. Harper College also provides continuing education classes and accelerated degree programs for adult learners.

Partnership programs include:    

  • Apprenticeships: Opportunities in fields like advanced manufacturing, IT, and business administration – tailored to each business’ specific needs
  • Employee Training: Upskills your workforce by providing businesses with tailored training to address specific skill sets
  • Small Business Development Center (SBDC): Offers free resources and guidance for small businesses, including workshops and consulting services that support business development and expansion

 

Girl giving tour.

Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP)

The Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP) is a nonprofit with a mission to create a sustainable manufacturing workforce. GCAMP provides educational programs and hands-on work-based learning. 

     Benefits include:

  • Networking with industry leaders to share best practices and solutions
  • Exposing students to the manufacturing industry 
Robotic machine arm.

Illinois Manufacturing Excellence Center (IMEC)

IMEC is a team of improvement specialists dedicated to helping small to medium sized manufacturers in Illinois achieve peak performance, drive sustainable growth, and compete globally. IMEC offers hands-on consulting and training to over 2,500 Illinois manufacturing businesses every year. 

  Services include:

  • Tailored consulting to optimize operations and drive efficiency
  • Access to industry experts for strategic planning and workforce development
  • Support in implementing advanced manufacturing technologies and quality initiatives
  • A supply chain portal designed to connect Illinois manufacturers with suppliers across the United States

High School Internships & Apprenticeships

High School District 214 is one of Illinois’ largest school districts. Elk Grove Village serves as a strategic partner, connecting local businesses with District 214 to create apprenticeships and internships that are tailored to their needs. Students are screened and matched with potential businesses with regular check-ins with businesses to ensure a good partnership.

In 2024, Elk Grove Village provided Elk Grove High School with a $750,000 grant; helping fund the school's Culinary Manufacturing Lab. Read more here

Tap into your future. Contact Sue Dees at 847-357-4005 or BusinessDevelopment@elkgrove.org for ways to get started.

Illinois workNet Center

The Illinois workNet Center supports workforce development by offering job training, career planning, and employment assistance. Elk Grove Village businesses benefit from access to qualified candidates with essential skills, enhancing their talent pipeline and helping them find motivated employees.    

Technology and Manufacturing Association (TMA)

Founded in 1925, the Technology and Manufacturing Association is an independent trade organization exclusively focused on assisting and promoting small and mid-size manufacturers by providing a diverse portfolio of industry-specific benefits and services, including: community support, training, information and advocacy.