Ric Gudell, Illinois Manufacturing Foundation

Ric Gudell catalyzed the development of sector-specific and field-specific training programs in Chicago and elsewhere by creating, in 1981, the Industrial and Business Training Programs of Chicago Commons Association and later, in 1992, by developing the Chicago Manufacturing Institute (a subsidiary of Chicago Commons), which he headed until 2001, when it spun off as the Illinois Manufacturing Foundation.  He was one of the founding members of the Regional Manufacturing Training Collaborative, whose mission is to develop regional strategy to meet the skilled labor needs of the manufacturing community and the economic needs of disadvantaged and unemployed residents.

For over twenty years Ric has worked with manufacturers to develop technical training pathways for economically disadvantaged and dislocated workers to provide them with access to stable, well-paying, skilled careers.  Among the many occupational pathways Ric has worked to open include Automatic Screw Machine Set-Up/Operator, Industrial Maintenance Mechanic, and CNC Machine Tool Programmer and Operator.

In 2003, Ric installed two training programs within the Sheridan Correctional Center, an Illinois prison operated as a therapeutic community for offenders undergoing substance abuse treatment.  In 2008, he piloted a Building Maintenance Technician training program to meet the needs of ex-offenders for skilled employment and the needs of property owners and managers for skilled maintenance personnel.  With a long-term interest in encouraging young people towards careers in science, technology and manufacturing, Ric also created and operated youth programs in silver-smithing, bicycle repair, robotics and laser engraving.