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PROGRAMS + INITIATIVES

High School Summer Internship

A paid, hands-on internship program for students ages 16–18 to gain real-world experience inside local manufacturing companies.

High school intern running a CNC machine.
High school intern welding.
High school intern using a computer to create a 3D model.
High school intern working with chemicals.

Summer High School Internship Program

Since 2022, the Manufacturing Pathways Consortium has partnered with McHenry County College (MCC) to expand access to hands-on manufacturing experiences for high school students.

Through this partnership, and with financial support from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds distributed through Advance McHenry County, students are able to participate in a 10-week, paid summer internship with local manufacturing companies.

 

These internships provide real-world experience, skill development, and exposure to modern manufacturing careers, helping students explore long-term career pathways while earning a paycheck.

Program at a Glance

The MPC Summer Internship Program is designed to give students meaningful, real-world experience in manufacturing while providing the support and guidance needed to succeed.

  • Paid internship: $16 per hour

  • Schedule: 29 hours per week

  • Length: 10-week summer program

  • Placement: Work with a local McHenry County manufacturer

  • Safety: All required safety equipment is provided

No prior manufacturing or work experience is required.

High school intern smiling will out in the shop.
High school intern calebrating inspection equipment.
High school interns smiling in their uniforms.
High school intern with mentor.

Ready to Apply?

To be eligible for the internship, students must:

  • Be 16 to 18 years old

  • Currently reside in McHenry County

  • Follow basic workplace safety rules and expectations

  • Complete the application

 

No resume or prior work experience is required.

Summer 2026 Internship Application opens February 9, 2026 and closes March 13, 2026.

Want to Learn More?

Join us for a brief virtual info session designed for both students and parents to learn more about the Summer 2026 Internship Program.

We’ll walk through:
• What the internship experience looks like
• Expectations, scheduling, and more
• Any questions you may have

Summer 2026 Internship Info Session will be held on February 25. 

*Can’t make it live? Register anyway to receive information.

ASK CURIOUS QUESTIONS!

MPC Logo
MCC Logo

Questions?

Contact Manufacturing Pathways Consortium at mfgpathways@gmail.com or (815) 479-7751

Meet Our 2026 Host Manufacturers

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Adroit Design Group

Lakemoor

Adroit Design Group specializes in commercial woodworking and cabinet manufacturing, creating high-quality custom pieces for commercial spaces.

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Atlantic Track

Richmond

Atlantic Track manufactures overhead conveyor track systems and components, supporting material handling operations across a variety of industries.

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ARNO USA

Harvard

ARNO USA manufactures precision cutting tools and tooling solutions, specializing in turning, grooving, drilling, and Swiss machining applications.

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Fabrik Molded Plastics

McHenry

Fabrik Molded Plastics specializes in custom injection molding and plastic component manufacturing for a wide range of industries.

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Heartland

Crystal Lake

Heartland specializes in custom cabinetry and woodworking solutions for residential and commercial projects.

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Keystone Display

Hebron

Keystone Display designs and manufactures custom retail displays and store fixtures for brands and commercial environments.

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Mecc Alte

McHenry

Mecc Alte manufactures alternators and power generation components used in industrial, commercial, and mobile applications.

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Mitsubishi Logisnext Americas

Marengo

Mitsubishi Logisnext manufactures material handling equipment, including forklifts and warehouse solutions, serving industrial and commercial operations.

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NiMCO

Crystal Lake

NiMCO is a leading independent manufacturer of form fill and seal equipment for gable-top cartons since 1962.

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Regal Rexnord

Marengo

Regal Rexnord manufactures electric motors, power transmission components, and motion control solutions for industrial and commercial applications.

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RITA Corp

Crystal Lake

Rita Corporation manufactures custom chemical formulations and specialty products for industrial and commercial markets.

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Jessup

McHenry

Jessup Manufacturing produces specialty materials and adhesive-backed products used in safety, industrial, and commercial applications.

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Scot Forge

Spring Grove

Scot Forge manufactures custom open-die and rolled ring forgings for industries such as aerospace, defense, and heavy industrial applications.

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TC Industries

Crystal Lake

TC Industries manufactures custom metal components and assemblies, serving industrial, commercial, and OEM markets.

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Swiss Automation

Cary

Swiss Automation specializes in precision CNC Swiss machining, producing high-accuracy metal components for a variety of industrial applications.

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NN Inc.

Algonquin

NN Inc. manufactures precision metal components and assemblies serving the automotive, aerospace, medical, electrical, and industrial markets.

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Wm Kline & Co

Woodstock

Wm Kline & Co. specializes in injection mold manufacturing and production machining, serving a range of industrial applications.

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XACT Wire EDM

Cary

XACT Wire EDM specializes in precision wire electrical discharge machining, producing high-accuracy components for tooling and industrial applications.

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Amcor

Woodstock

Amcor manufactures fluxes and foundry products for the metals industry, serving aluminum producers and foundries across North America.

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BTM Industries

Woodstock

BTM Industries is a family-owned machine shop providing custom machining and metalworking solutions to a wide range of industries.

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Burnex Corp.

Ringwood

urnex Corporation is a family-owned manufacturer of precision metal stampings, wire forms, and custom metal components serving a wide range of industries.

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CRV Electronics

Spring Grove

CRV Electronics is a manufacturer providing custom wiring harnesses, cable assemblies, and electromechanical assembly solutions for OEMs.

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Electrical Control Distributors

Crystal Lake

ECD supplies automation, motion control, and industrial control products while providing custom control panel and engineering solutions.

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Mathews Company

Crystal Lake

Mathews Company manufactures grain drying and material handling equipment designed to support agricultural operations across the country.

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