IMA Education Foundation Presents Scholarship Award to Richard J. Daley College

Chicago, IL – The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) Education Foundation awarded Richard J. Daley College, one of the City Colleges of Chicago, $25,000 in scholarship funds for meeting a series of set standards and performing at a high level of active engagement to foster greater educational opportunities within the field of manufacturing. Daley College is one of six institutions across the state that is receiving a scholarship from the IMA Education Foundation this summer.

Daley College prepares highly skilled technicians in computer-integrated manufacturing, robotics and factory automation, combining traditional learning with hands-on training on the latest up-to-date equipment. All students in the manufacturing program at Daley College have the chance to earn industry certifications allowing students to gain valuable credentials and giving them an edge in the job market.

“We are grateful for the generous donation from the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association Education Foundation,” said Daley College President, Dr. José Aybar. “At Daley, we provide our students with tangible, real-world learning experiences and access to cutting-edge technologies that are key to making our students competitive in today’s job market. This gift will help us continue to provide our students with quality manufacturing technology programs to prepare them to seize the 14,000 jobs coming to the Chicago region in advanced manufacturing over the next decade.”

“One of the main objectives of the IMA Education Foundation is to provide scholarship opportunities for deserving students following a pathway of study leading to a manufacturing career,” said Ron Bullock, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association Education Foundation; CEO, Bison Gear. “Daley College is an institution that displays all the qualities for which this scholarship program is intended.

“The skills and certification opportunities being provided through Daley College’s program provide students a competitive advantage in an industry that has long been the backbone of our economy,” said William Hickey, vice chairman, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association; president, Lapham-Hickey Steel. “As a third generation manufacturer, I cannot stress enough the importance for local employers to be engaged with our community colleges to ensure success for the next generation of skilled workers in our industry.”

Community colleges receiving funding must demonstrate active engagement with the manufacturing community by meeting certain set standards demonstrating their commitment to education and training focused on the manufacturing and technology sector. This scholarship will allow students to focus on their education and training by helping to alleviate the costs of tuition, books and other expenses.

“The students at Daley College have the potential to ensure our state will continue to build a strong pipeline for the workforce and fill the skills gap that is facing our industry,” said Greg Baise, president and CEO, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “We hope to continue broadening participation and working with these institutions to increase success across the board for students pursuing opportunities in the manufacturing sector.”

The IMA Education Foundation Board of Directors has endowed an annual scholarship to six schools this summer and will make a second round of endowments in 2016-2017 to help students for years to come.

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Dr. Jose Aybar, President of Richard J. Daley College, Ron Bullock, Illinois Manufacturers’ Association Education Foundation; CEO, Bison Gear; Raymond Prendergast, Richard J. Daley College to Careers Dean.