CAIC Training Program Opens Doors to Advanced Manufacturing Careers at Gotion in Manteno

Manteno, IL (June 6, 2025) — The Calumet Area Industrial Commission (CAIC) continues to fulfill its mission of industrial expansion and workforce development with the successful completion of a specialized training class held at Gotion in Manteno, Illinois. Led by industry veterans Doug Nelson and Jim Boguslawski, this program offered participants a direct pathway into careers in advanced manufacturing. The training is a Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Bridge program funded, in partnership with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.

Gotion, a global innovator in next-generation battery systems, partnered with CAIC to host and support the training. Designed to provide students with foundational and advanced skills in modern manufacturing processes, the program emphasized hands-on experience, safety, production systems, and quality control—key components of Gotion’s operations.

“Gotion Illinois is proud to collaborate with CAIC in building a strong manufacturing workforce in Manteno and the surrounding region. Programs like this reflect our shared commitment to creating real pathways to high-tech careers while investing in the future of the communities we call home.” – Mark Kreusel, VP of Manufacturing for Gotion Illinois

The initiative is a clear reflection of CAIC’s long-standing commitment to building a strong, skilled industrial workforce. As a nonprofit with a reach that includes over 1,500 companies and nearly 50 industrial sectors, CAIC plays a pivotal role in connecting local talent to high-growth industries. With 83,000 manufacturing jobs across the region, programs like this one serve as a critical bridge between opportunity and employment.

“We’re proud to be working with Gotion on the jobs of the future that are here today.” – Ted Stalnos, CAIC President and CEO

The training culminates in a graduation ceremony and reception on Friday, June 6, 2025, where students will be recognized for their achievements. Most significantly, every graduate will have the opportunity to interview directly with Gotion for employment consideration—turning their training into potential careers.

As CAIC continues to champion workforce development, partnerships like this illustrate the power of collaboration between community-focused organizations and forward-looking manufacturers. The graduates of this program not only gain new skills but become part of a growing movement to transform the industrial landscape in the Chicago Southland.