GPEDC | Regional Workforce Solutions
Regional Collaborations
Greater Peoria embraces a collective approach to solving complex problems at scale. Workforce is no exception - there are several working groups that address workforce challenges to ensure regional employers can continue to thrive.
Regional Workforce Alliance
The Regional Workforce Alliance (RWA) is a Collective Impact Organization - an alliance of regional businesses, education, unions, community-based organizations, WIOAs, and economic development leaders dedicated to aligning efforts through regional collaborations that increase the number of credentialed adults, grow the workforce, fill current gaps, and expand economic vitality.
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The RWA has made a significant impact on the regional workforce development strategies by establishing three committees with a focused objective: Emerging Workforce Alliance focuses on career exploration and opportunities for students, Multiple Barriers focuses on identifying and addressing systemic barriers to employment and education, and Upskilling focuses on engaging the existing workforce in opportunities to gain additional skills and credentials to grow in their careers.
Strategic Manufacturing Workforce Group
The Strategic Manufacturing Workforce Group is a collaborative workgroup that includes business leaders, HR Professionals, educators, workforce development partners, economic development stakeholders, and local officials. The main purpose of this group is to promote career pathways in manufacturing to individuals who have not had exposure to the industry . ​
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The SMWG is responsible for driving the efforts of two major events for the industry, including CareerSpark and the Discover Manufacturing Expo. These events give students hands-on and behind-the-scenes experiences in the manufacturing space and helps spark interest in various careers in the industry such as welding, machining, and maintenance. Since the group was launched, CTE participation in Manufacturing has increased by 6.6% for all high school students throughout Greater Peoria.
AgTech Connect
At Distillery Labs, we are committed to realizing the AgTech mission of promoting economic opportunity and sustainable growth while stimulating innovation. Through regional collaboration, we aim to advance the AgTech ecosystem and shape the future of agriculture, fostering economic opportunities and sustainable growth within the industry. In collaboration with the Morton EDC, our vision is to cultivate the AgTech industry in our region, bridging connections and fueling the ecosystem to explore collaborative solutions and drive innovation. Through our quarterly AgTech Connect Sessions, we facilitate purposeful collisions, bringing together diverse expertise to generate greater yields for people, products, and crop production. We invite all stakeholders to connect with us today to plan for the yields of tomorrow, and together, we can shape a more sustainable and prosperous future for agriculture.
Illinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium
The Illinois Defense Manufacturing Consortium (ILDMC) brings together stakeholders from industry, community, government, and academia to strengthen Illinois’ defense resilience.
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With its active DoD installations and diverse industrial base, Illinois has strong links to the military and the companies and people that support it. Using a data-driven approach to quantifying the breadth of the Illinois defense sector, as well as its potential vulnerability amid changing defense spending landscape, the ILDMC partners work together to strengthen local defense manufacturing industries in four key regions through efforts including workforce development, supply chain management, innovation, and cybersecurity awareness.
YPGP
The Young Professionals Organization of Greater Peoria (YPGP) is a group made up of 20 and 30-somethings that have mutual interest in social and business networking, community involvement, and professional development. The goal of YPGP is to promote Greater Peoria as an exciting place to live, work, and play.
Mission
To offer opportunities which attract and retain young professionals in Greater Peoria.
Vision
To engage, empower, and develop young professionals to shape our communities.
Member Benefits
Monthly Happy Hour - Networking - Professional Development
Community Involvement - Volunteer Opportunities - Social Events
Much, much more...
Workforce Innovation Board
The Illinois Workforce Innovation Board (IWIB) is Governor-appointed leaders from state, business, industry, labor, education, and community-based organizations with the goal of evaluating and meeting Illinois workforce needs. IWIB oversees the Unified State Plan's development, implementation, and modification through convening relevant programs and required partners/stakeholders to provide oversight and strategic leadership for the state workforce development system.
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Greater Peoria is served by the Local Workforce Innovation Area 15 board who oversees budget and strategies to support regional Workforce Development strategies that advance the State Plan.
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The IWIB also oversees WIOA Works Illinois, an online resource that assists business and industry leaders, policymakers, community organizations, and workforce professionals in achieving success under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Talent Pipeline Management
The Greater Peoria Economic Development Council, in partnership with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is facilitating a series of industry collaboratives to drive the Talent Pipeline Management framework to address workforce shortages for critical roles. Currently the region is engaged in TPM for Manufacturing & Logistics, the employer-led collaborative is made up for 25+ employers, from small machine shops to Fortune 50 Global Enterprises, and has identified the top 5 in-demand roles for the industry and now that data is being used to support scaling of programs in K12 and post-secondary partners to continue to meet the region's hiring needs.
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Our region is also exploring TPM collaboratives in Healthcare, IT, AgTech, and First Responders.
