The Kane County MCIP Second Chance Program has three key goals:

1. Help young adults ages 18 – 24 convicted of non-violent crimes, such as DUI or driving without a license, overcome the barrier of having a criminal record and re-enter society through starting careers in the manufacturing industry.
2. Provide a low-risk process to vet and hire young adults who were incarcerated but are highly motivated and need a “second chance”
3. Provide work and training opportunities to returning citizens to help address the critical skilled worker shortage in manufacturing.

How does it Work?

Business and Career Services (BCS) is partnering with the Kane County Correctional Department to provide a second chance to non-violent offenders ages 18 – 24 to turn their life around and become productive, responsible adults.

An intensive two-week “Boot Camp” held before the internship will screen participants for attitude and motivation and will focus on employer expectations and requirements such as: attendance, attitude, ambition and problem solving. It also provides them with a 10-hour OSHA safety certification, resume writing and interviewing skills, financial literacy, shop math and problem solving. The program is modeled after the highly successful BCS Manufacturing Careers Internship Program (MCIP) which has a 70% success rate.

As part of the “Second Chance” program, participating manufacturers will be able to interview and select potential interns prior to the eight-week internship. BCS is the employer of record during the internship and covers wages, insurance and liability. BCS will also monitor the growth and success of the participants during the internships using frequent communication and on-site visits.

What are the Benefits to Employers?

• There is No Cost to the employer during the eight-week internship. BCS covers wages and liability insurance.
• Opportunity to identify, vet and hire highly motivated individuals for hard-to-fill positions.
• Federal and State Fidelity Bonding Programs are available at no cost to protect the employer from any wrong-doing by the employee once hired. The bond coverage is usually $5,000 with no deductible. Higher amounts of coverage up to $25,000 may be allowed.
• Employers may qualify for a tax credit of between $1,200 and $9,600 per employee for hiring ex-felons through the Illinois Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) program.
• Employers hiring qualified participants may be eligible to be reimbursed 50% of their wages up to $10,000 through the Kane County Workforce On-the-Job Training Program.
• Similar to the MICP, internships can be terminated at any time,

For more information, contact Rand Haas, MCIP program manager with Business and Career Services, at (630) 204-9795.

The Aurora Chamber would like to re-introduce a partner program for local employers. The Business and Career Services Manufacturing Careers Internship Program (MCIP) is an innovative workforce development program designed to:

• Help employers identify and hire motivated, young adults ages 18 – 24
• Help young adults learn about manufacturing and start a successful career path
• Change the perception of manufacturing and promote it as a desirable career

Employers benefit from the program because:

• Internship provided at no cost to employer, no commitment to hire
• Minimize hiring risk by identifying motivated employees during internship
• Drug Screening and Work-readiness training provided prior to internship
• Employers may be eligible for On-the-Job-Training Grant if interns are hired as employees

The MCIP starts with a Career Exploration “Boot” Camp that leads directly to an eight-week paid internship. During the boot camp, interns visit six to eight local manufacturers, tour the manufacturing lab at the local community college, learn essential “work-readiness skills”, brush up on their math skills and gain OSHA and Lift Truck Driving Certifications. At the end of the boot camp, participating employers interview and select interns for an internship paid by the MCIP.

The MCIP is funded through the through a federal WIOA grant from the DOL. Business and Career Services (BCS) serves as the employer of record and covers payroll, liability and insurance during the internship. In addition, participants obtain a 10-hour OSHA certification and forklift truck-driving certification. Other elements include:

• Tours of local area manufacturers to learn about careers and skills required
• Emphasis on work-readiness, including attendance, attitude and problem solving
• Emphasis on shop math and communication skills
• Resume writing and job interview preparation

The MCIP has been recognized as one of the most unique and innovative workforce programs in Illinois. Since 2011, more than 200 companies have participated and over 700 interns have participated. More than 85% of interns hired after the internship have stayed with the company for longer than 12 months.

For information, contact Rand Haas, program manager, at (630) 204-9795.