Chamber helps open doors for future workforce

The Quad Cities Chamber is opening doors—literally—for the region’s future workforce.

This week, more than 50 area high school students and their parents toured Arconic and John Deere Davenport Works to get a firsthand look at careers in manufacturing. These behind-the-scenes visits are more than just field trips—they’re eye-opening experiences to help young people and their families discover career opportunities right here in the Quad Cities.

For many students, this was their first glimpse into the types of high-tech jobs that exist locally—jobs they may never have considered. And that’s the point.

“Our hope is that conversations will be sparked between parent and student that lead to better decision-making about future career choices and educational opportunities,” said Jamie McLaughlin, Workforce Specialist at the Chamber. McLaughlin said her team along with the manufacturers involved, wanted to fashion the experience to be more like what happens on a college tour – which meant including parents. “We had a great response to this idea,” she said. “But we need buy-in from local businesses to make these types of tours successful.”

Along with the work Jamie has been doing, James Porter, the Chamber’s Vice President of Talent & Inclusion has spent the past year working to connect businesses and students as well. “Career tours are just one way the Chamber connects young talent with local businesses through work-based learning opportunities,” said Porter who spearheaded the Chamber’s first Student Success Symposium in 2024, connecting over 200 local students with QC businesses for hands-on experiences, live demos and one-on-one connections.

This year’s Symposium will be Tuesday, April 29 at the RiverCenter. “We’re working hard to get more businesses engaged – and we’ll have even more companies and career opportunities represented this year,” he said.

Porter added that whether you're in manufacturing, healthcare, IT or another industry, “opening your doors to students through tours and events like Success Symposium, job shadows or apprenticeships, are a powerful way to spark interest in your field—and build relationships with future employees.”

Marguerite Tomlin, Senior Communications Specialist at Arconic, was eager for Arconic to be included in the Student Manufacturing Tour, as well as the upcoming Symposium. “Tours are essential for our future workforce because they offer firsthand insight into our operations, sparking interest and understanding in careers in manufacturing,” she said. “Students can get a glimpse into their potential daily work life and how they could have a long and fruitful career at Arconic,” she said.

Tomlin added that she loves to share with young people that Arconic makes really amazing products. “We make metal that goes on planes, cars and rockets. Getting to see that firsthand and to know that one day they can be a part of that right here in the QC is pretty impactful,” she said. She agrees that having parents attend tours is beneficial as well. “Parents ask things that students may not think to ask – questions about 401Ks and healthcare plans, because they know these benefits are as important as base salary and schedule.”

James Hotchkiss, Community Integration Coordinator at John Deere led a tour through John Deere Davenport Works this week as well, and felt similarly about introducing students to career paths they may not have considered. “Opening our facilities to parents and students allows both to see the endless career opportunities they may be unaware of,” he said.

Hotchkiss is also a proponent of the Chamber’s Student Success Symposium, noting that last year’s welding demo was a big hit with attendees. John Deere plans to once again have a hands-on demo at the Symposium.

“When businesses invest in early career exploration, they help students see a future in the Quad Cities—and often, that leads to them staying here,” said Porter. “We encourage more businesses to become involved – it’s essential to our future workforce in the QC."

McLaughlin is encouraged by the success of the student manufacturing tours and is eager to work with other manufacturers to connect them with students. “We’re hoping to host more tours this year, and are seeking interested businesses.”

What else is in it for you?

• You'll grow your talent. You get to shape skill development from the ground up.
• You’ll support diversity. Work-based learning taps into talent from a range of backgrounds.
• You’ll boost your brand. Students and families remember the businesses that invested in them.
• It strengthens our region. A skilled local workforce is good for all of us.

Want to host a tour?

If you're interested in hosting a student tour or exploring other work-based learning options, we want to hear from you. Contact Jamie McLaughlin or James Porter. Let’s work together to build a stronger workforce and a brighter future for our region.