Kim Wimer, our Human Resources Manager, had only been on the job with our team a few weeks when she attended a Manufacturing Career Expo at Lake County Tech Campus.. At this career expo Kim was introduced to Laura Naselli, Project Coordinator for Lake County Partners. After an in-depth discussion with Laura on engaging with the Ecosystem and networking opportunities within the community Kim knew a partnership with LCP would aid Laser Precision to grow its workforce. Since one of our main business concerns is maintaining a workforce pipeline, we were pleased to learn a coalition was already in place to address this issue. 

Through the connections at LCP, visiting high schools and technical colleges to talk about student career paths is now part of our recruitment program. LCP also invited us to sit on a panel to speak to a gathering of local philanthropic stakeholders on how to change the perception of careers in manufacturing and educating young adults on skilled career opportunities in Lake County. When LCP asked us to host tours for local high school counselors to show them a modern manufacturing facility, and to show how different it may be from the negative image they may have held previously, we were immediately on board. It has been rewarding to see the light bulb go off with these counselors who now can see alternative options for students. 

And now, we’ve also begun hosting student tours from local schools so the students and parents can see a modern manufacturing facility for themselves. “Laser Precision is a core participant in our manufacturing career education efforts,” Kevin said. “They are the first ones called and we never get turned down.”