Second Congressional District Congresswoman Robin Kelly brought local businesses and training facilities together in late November to discuss workforce issues.

Congresswoman Robin Kelly realizes that when many people search for work in Northern Illinois, they look toward Chicago.

But the South Side and South Suburbs have plenty to offer too, she said.

Just before Thanksgiving, Kelly held a business round table meeting at the Matteson Public Library to bring together training facilities with local businesses that might need apprentices. Joliet Job Corps Center BCL Stewart Warren attended the meeting along with Prairie State Community College of Chicago Heights, lunch meat manufacturer Land O’Frost of Lansing, Aunt Martha’s Employment Resource Unit and others.

Kelly noted that the high school drop out rate is 34 percent nationwide, and the group briefly discussed the problem. They won-dered if it was exacerbated by the fact that the high school curriculum focuses on preparing students for college.

Many young people don’t seem to realize that there are high-paying manufacturing jobs available in her district, Kelly said.

Land O’Frost is a good example of those businesses. The company typically hires employees with an aptitude for math and science and often seeks maintenance mechanics to work on the company’s equipment.