In Lake County, the secret to economic success has always been the people.
And that’s because the community isn’t just growing, it’s building a workforce engine that has positioned it as a national model for talent development. With strong population projections, a robust employer base, and integrated collaboration that supports residents from early education through career advancement, Lake County has intentionally created something powerful: a true career ecosystem.
The broader Chicagoland workforce is 5 million people—larger than the workforce of more than 40 U.S. states. Lake County’s share of that strength is substantial, with a local workforce of approximately 360,000 workers.
And it’s growing. From 2025 to 2030, Lake County is projected to add approximately 17,000 new residents. “This kind of population growth is more than a statistic—it’s a vote of confidence,” notes LCP president and CEO Kevin Considine. “In fact, Chicagoland continues to outpace expectations, and in Lake County, we have seen a 3% growth rate since 2019.”
Lake County’s top occupational clusters reflect a diversified and resilient economy, with strength in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, healthcare, education, transportation, office, Fortune 500 headquarters and more. This diversity provides both stability and opportunity by allowing Lake County to weather economic shifts while continuously creating pathways into in-demand careers. It also means that companies can find both suppliers and customers here.
Employers Are Hiring & Investing
In 2025, Lake County celebrated its strongest economic performance on record, and at the same time, Lake County was named one of the top 10 counties in the U.S. for economic development by Site Selection.
The success has been fueled by robust capital investment, new and retained jobs and steady growth across key sectors. Over the last 5 years, Lake County Partners has driven $1.83 billion in direct capital investment, the creation of 4,033 new jobs and the retention of 2,751 existing jobs in Lake County. Notably, many of the recent successes have come from businesses that are already located in Lake County and choosing to stay and grow in the community.
Major employers, including AbbVie, Abbott, Medline, Fortune Brands Innovations, Advocate Aurora Health, Baxter and Capital One are continuing to hire and expand operations in Lake County. When globally recognized companies like these consistently expand in a region, it is a signal of both confidence in the business climate AND the local talent pipeline.
So why do industry leaders have so much faith in Lake County’s workforce?
Guiding Students Every Step of the Way
What truly sets Lake County apart is its systems-level approach—one that doesn’t treat workforce development as a set of isolated programs, but rather provides holistic resources that provide guidance at every step of a career journey.
From youth employment to reskilling experienced workers, Lake County’s workforce ecosystem operates across every phase, through:
- Early exposure and career awareness
- Summer youth employment programs that provide first-job experience
- Skills training aligned to industry demand
- Employer partnerships for placement and advancement
The system is cross-functional and deeply collaborative. Workforce ecosystem partners, including Lake County Workforce Development, the College of Lake County, the Lake County Tech Campus, the Lake County Regional Office of Education and local schools like Grayslake District 127, communicate, coordinate, and share data. Economic development, education, and workforce professionals operate not as silos, but as a toolbox for business attraction, retention, and long-term community growth.
Lake County’s leadership in talent development isn’t accidental. It is the result of:
- Population growth aligned with opportunity
- Strong employer investment
- Expanding educational infrastructure
- Strategic manufacturing collaboration
- A unified, career-centered workforce system
While many regions talk about workforce development, Lake County has operationalized it—building an ecosystem that supports businesses, empowers residents, and sustains economic momentum. In an era when talent is the ultimate competitive advantage, Lake County isn’t just keeping pace. It’s leading.
What Does Successful Workforce Development Look Like?
It was with this collaborative spirit in mind that Lake County Partners recently gathered its public sector partners for a panel discussion of the local tools being used to train talent, sponsored by Libertyville Bank & Trust, with input from:
- Derrick Burress, Principal at Lake County Tech Campus
- Dr. Michael Karner, Regional Superintendent of Schools
- Dr. Ali O’Brien, Vice President of Community & Workforce Partnerships at CLC
- Gina Schuyler, D127 Administrator of Community Partnerships and CTE Consultant
- Jennifer Serino, Executive Director of Workforce Development at Lake County
Panelists unanimously agreed that building a rewarding career starts long before a first day on the job.
Educators like Gina Schuyler and Dr. Michael Karner take a big picture approach to career pathways that relies on an endorsement framework that interplays with SchooLinks, a comprehensive K-12 college and career readiness platform that helps students discover interests, explore career paths, and plan for life after graduation. SchooLinks, in turn, facilitates career engagement events like Navig8Lake and partners with work-based learning hubs like NIU EdSystems.
At the Lake County Tech Campus, a premier career technical education center, juniors and seniors from 22 local high schools receive hands-on, career-focused training in over 20 fields including healthcare, IT, manufacturing and more. Students can earn industry certifications and college credits, making it such a popular option that the school continues to see enrollments climb, with 2,400+ students currently engaged in specialized training, having earned 9,200+ college credit over the past two years.
Next door, at the College of Lake County, Dr. Ali O’Brien has also observed a significant 5% increase in Spring 2026 enrollment. The growth is particularly strong in high-demand fields such as automotive technologies, medical assisting, social work, and welding and fabrication.
Dual credit programs are also booming. This academic year, over 5,500 Lake County students are projected to earn college credit while still in high school, making higher education more accessible and affordable.
“We’ve seen dual credit enrolment increase by 27%, with a total increase of 260% more students served over the last 5 years,” reports Dr. O’Brien. “This represents a savings of $4 million in college tuition over the last year alone.”
With three campuses—in Grayslake, Waukegan and Vernon Hills—as well as the cutting-edge Advanced Technology Center in Gurnee and the Brae Loch Culinary Center & Restaurant in Grayslake, the College of Lake County relies on work-based learning to fuel student achievement. Students get access to employment opportunities that fit their schedule and align with their interests. Their internships are coordinated with faculty and local businesses to provide ample opportunity to dive deeper into a field of interest. The “earn and learn” apprenticeship model compliments this framework and culminates in a certificate or degree.
CLC’s newest capital investment, the Urban Farm Center in downtown Waukegan, is a 24,000-square-foot workforce development hub designed to train the next generation of controlled-environment agriculture technicians by providing:
- Controlled agriculture training for high-tech food production careers
- Local food sourcing to strengthen supply chains and reduce time to market
- A commercial kitchen that builds transferable culinary and business skills
- A community education space that introduces younger students to career pathways early
Set to open later this year, the Center will connect workforce development, economic sustainability, and community education in one integrated facility while complementing CLC’s portfolio of community assets.
Another major endeavor at CLC is the rollout of a new Manufacturing Alliance, led by Laura Asbury, and guided by the notion that manufacturing isn’t just part of Lake County’s economy—it’s a cornerstone of its competitive advantage.
“Lake County is one of the largest manufacturing communities in Illinois, contributing approximately $48 billion annually in manufacturing output,” notes Connell. “Through the Manufacturing Alliance, we are bringing together ecosystem partners to address shared pain points, align training programs with employer needs, and provide a regional lens on competitiveness.”
This alliance is poised for significant growth this year, with a renewed focus on deeper engagement with local manufacturers, stronger integration between industry and education, and talent pipeline alignment across technical careers.
Workforce Solutions for a Lifetime
The workforce development work taking place across the county has been designed to deliver workforce solutions that are responsive to modern needs. From job readiness focused on career coaching to skills education and training, all the way through to re-skilling that enables residents to transition jobs, update skills and re-enter the labor force, there is something for everyone, no matter their circumstance.
“Workforce support is a continuous career journey, rather than a one-time service,” emphasizes Jennifer Serino, Executive Director of Lake County Workforce Development. “Whether it’s a teenager looking for their first job, a career changer seeking new skills, or employers needing grants for leadership training, it’s important that we all work together to protect and support Lake County’s greatest asset: its people.”
Lake County, Illinois is Good for Business
Economic momentum doesn’t happen overnight. It takes vision, partnership, and a relentless focus on delivering results. In Lake County, Illinois, that formula has translated into THE most successful economic development runs in county history—and there’s no sign of slowing down. Whether you’re leading a growing company and looking to expand, or you’re on a personal search for your next home, Lake County is a community in which you’re guaranteed to thrive. Connect with us here so we can put you in touch with the resources that you need to make 2026 your best year yet.