WORKFORCE

PRESENTED BY

Workforce & Talent Development

Workforce & Talent Development is a key part of the McLean County Chamber’s ten-year commitment to unite the right partners to strengthen our workforce, grow the economy, and enhance quality of place. We are addressing the workforce needs of our employers and growing our talent pipeline by bringing together businesses, educators, students, job seekers, and community partners. From job fairs to Becoming BN and Employer Needs Survey to our Talent Alignment Strategy, each initiative works toward the same goal: building a resilient, pro-business region where McLean County employers and workers share in measurable prosperity.

Workforce Initiatives

Talent Alignment Strategy Becoming BN Internships College Board AP Business

Talent Alignment Strategy

McLean County has no shortage of talent, employers, or organizations working to strengthen our workforce. The challenge is how we connect those efforts. The Talent Alignment Strategy is about creating a more coordinated workforce development approach, one that connects education, employers, and talent around the skills and occupations our economy needs most. By aligning what employers need with how we prepare and connect people to opportunities, we can build stronger talent pipelines, help individuals move into meaningful careers, and support the long-term growth of our business community.

We want to thank our partners at the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Heartland Community College for their collaboration and shared financial investment in this initiative.

Click Here To Learn More

Becoming BN

Becoming BN, a workforce development initiative and subsidiary of the McLean County Chamber of Commerce, invites interns, college students, and young professionals in Bloomington-Normal, Illinois to discover the businesses, leaders, and opportunities that make our community a great place to live and do business.

Through Becoming BN events and programming, participants build meaningful connections with local employers, other interns, and community leaders while exploring what it’s like to build a career in McLean County.

Learn More About Becoming BN

Internships

The Chamber is focused on workforce development and providing employers with the resources necessary to build a quality internship program. There are several tools and initiatives aimed at connecting interns to employers, but it is imperative that the right structure is in place to make that connection a success.

Internships are Work-Based Learning activities in which students engage in learning through practical and relevant experiences at various internship sites. Nearly any company, industry, or organization can use an intern including non-profits, for-profit organizations, start-up businesses or small businesses. Students participating in an internship are typically very motivated, engaged in learning, have a strong work ethic and are eager to help with marketing, information technology, research, accounting, human resources, customer service, data entry, video production, website development, public relations, etc. They can offer support with nearly any project and in the process provide professional staff with additional time to pursue more creative endeavors. Mid-sized and large companies have multiple departments and positions that could provide significant rotational learning experiences for interns. Learning how to utilize interns effectively will increase an organization's bottom line.

Employer Guide To Hosting An Intern Program

College Board AP Business

2025 Employer Needs Survey Results

McLean County employers are facing multiple challenges including worker shortages, employability skills, and leadership succession planning. Our 2025 Employer Needs Survey reveals where businesses are headed next, and how we can build a stronger talent pipeline together.

After identifying the gaps that hold businesses back, we need to now amplify the strengths that set our region apart and foster innovation to keep McLean county businesses competitive in an evolving marketplace. Success will depend on strengthening collaboration between business leaders, workforce development professionals, educators, and community partners. By aligning goals and resources, we can create an ecosystem that nurtures talent and encourages investment.

Click Here To Read The Report

Our Workforce Events

2026 Fall Job Fair

October 5, 2026

RAMP Advocacy Event 2026

September 25, 2026

Connecting Local Talent with Opportunity at the Spring Job Fair

April 15, 2026

Becoming BN 2025

July 22, 2025

Local Talent Meets Opportunity at the Chamber’s Spring Job Fair

April 23, 2025

Job Fairs

Connecting local talent with local employers is at the heart of our workforce initiative. Our job fairs, held in the Spring and Fall, bring job seekers and employers together, helping businesses connect with potential employees and individuals explore career opportunities right here in McLean County. By creating these connections, we’re working to support local businesses, strengthen our talent pipeline and help our community’s workforce thrive.

Click Here To Find Upcoming Events

Becoming BN

Partners in Workforce

Partners in Workforce are prominently involved in all our business and professional programming, significantly contributing to our workforce development initiatives all focused on attracting and retaining top talent.