GCAMP 2026 "Developing Our Future" Award Application

Developing Our Future

GCAMP Award Application
You have reached the Developing Our Future award application. Complete the application below to apply for the award.

To nominate a deserving organization for the award, click here and complete this form.
DEADLINE TO APPLY: 11:59 PM, CST, Sunday, February 8, 2025

The Developing Our Future award recognizes a manufacturer who is going above and beyond the rest to support the next generation of manufacturers. The winning company will be recognized at the annual VIA Spark Awards gala on March 11, 2026.

We encourage all organizations who are actively working to create the next generation of manufacturers to apply for the award by completing the application below.

Thank you for all you do to support the future of manufacturing & good luck!
YOUR INFORMATION
Your Name*

First NameLast Name
Your Email *
example@example.com
Organization Name*
IN SCHOOL CAREER EXPLORATION
Looking back at the past 12 months, please indicate which of the following events, if any, someone at your organization has attended with the purpose of promoting manufacturing education or careers.

A school career fairA community career fairA career expoA school advisory boardA speaking panel at a schoolA STEM/science/mfg expoA guest speaking opportunity in a classroomOther
Please briefly describe the events. You may want to include details like the number of events attended, names of events, dates, locations, number of students impacted, ages/grades of students, etc.

0/250
ONSITE CAREER EXPLORATION
Looking back at the past 12 months, please indicate which of the following opportunities, if any, your organization offered to students.

A tour of your facilityJob shadowingHigh school internshipsCollege internshipsPart-time or summer jobs for people under age 18Apprenticeships registered with the Dept of LaborApprenticeships (unregistered)Other
Please briefly describe the opportunities. You may want to include details like the number of tours you offered including details on who attended the tours, the number of apprentices in your program, etc.

0/250
PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT
Looking back at the past 12 months, please indicate how your organization has provided philanthropic support to a school, vocational center, student group or club teaching manufacturing skills.

Provided direct financial support/ sponsorship.Donated free supplies or services.Attended a fundraiser that benefitted students learning mfg skills.Allowed a school or student group to use space at our facility for their meeting(s) or event(s).Employees regularly volunteered their time or sat on a board in support of a mfg educational program.Donated to a manufacturing scholarship program through a school.Other
Looking back at the past 12 months, please indicate how your organization has provided philanthropic support to a manufacturing workforce development organization, such as GCAMP.

Provided direct financial support/ sponsorship.Donated free supplies or services.Attended a fundraiser that benefitted the organization.Allowed the organization to use space at our facility for their meeting(s) or event(s).Employees regularly volunteered their time or sat on a board in support of the organizationDonated to a manufacturing scholarship program through an organizationOther
Please briefly describe the support. You may want to include details like level of financial support, the value of goods donated, or the number of hours volunteered, etc.

0/250
Building Partnerships
Looking back at the past 12 months, please indicate if a member(s) of your organization attended any of these events in an effort to build better partnerships with future manufacturers.

2/19/25- Workforce Strategies Forum: The Power of Multi-Generational Workforces2/25/25- GCAMP Manufacturing Breakfast at Lake County Tech Campus4/8/25- GCAMP Manufacturing Breakfast at College of DuPage5/15/25- Weisner Center Employer Breakfast & Mock Interviews9/17/25- Workforce Strategies Forum: National Workforce Development Day11/6/25- GCAMP Manufacturing Breakfast at Waubonsee Community CollegeAny manufacturing skills competition where an employee volunteered to help organize the event or judge the competitionAny mock interviews where an employee helped students with interviewing skillsOther
Thank you for submitting your application for the Developing Our Future award. Finalists will be announced prior to the 2026 VIA Spark Awards. The winner will be recognized at the award ceremony on March 11, 2026 at The Abbington in Glen Ellyn.
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