Lake County Gazette

At the Lake County Manufacturing Alliance Breakfast, Grayslake Community High School District 127 brought together more than 40 local business leaders, educators, and community partners to discuss career opportunities for students. The event was held in partnership with Jim Connell from College of Lake County and Scot Forge.

The breakfast took place at District 127 and included representatives from companies such as LMT Onsrud LP, Domenty Tools, Weller Metalworks, and Haas Automation. Organizations like Lake County Workforce Development, Give Me Ten, apprenticeship coordinators from CLC, Tech Campus educators, the Gorter Family Foundation, and several D127 staff members were also present.

The main theme of the event was “Build Your Talent Pipeline.” Manufacturers were encouraged to explore D127’s career-focused lab spaces that reflect industry standards. Attendees observed how students are learning skills such as blueprint reading and CAD—skills that can earn them dual college credit. Two student interns, Seniors Trent S. and Andrew N., spoke about their hands-on experiences that led to internships.

Gina Schuyler, D127’s Administrator of Community Partnerships, said: “The Manufacturing Alliance Breakfast was designed to strengthen the pipeline of skilled talent in our region. This event is about creating opportunities for students to gain early exposure to career paths and for employers to build relationships with the next generation of workers.”

Superintendent Dr. Mikkel Storaasli commented on the importance of these connections: “At Grayslake D127, we believe that education must go beyond the classroom. Events like the Manufacturing Alliance Breakfast help students see the real-world impact of their learning and allow our local businesses to invest in future talent. This kind of authentic, hands-on experience is at the heart of our mission to empower every learner to launch their future.”

D127 supports over 100 internships each year as part of its Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. The district offers a variety of courses aimed at preparing students for college or careers after graduation.

“This is about shared wins,” Schuyler added. “Students gain experience and confidence. Employers get to invest in a stronger workforce and even help shape it.”

Grayslake Community High School District 127 serves Lake County through Grayslake Central High School and Grayslake North High School (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). According to state data, there are 195 teachers in the district earning an average salary of $79,647; nearly 60 percent are women (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). The student population is diverse: approximately 58 percent White, 25 percent Hispanic, seven percent Asian, and four percent Black (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/). In 2020, spending per student reached $31,874 for a total expenditure exceeding $88 million (https://www.illinoisreportcard.com/).

District officials say they will continue working with local businesses to provide relevant learning experiences that connect classroom instruction with future careers.