Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) have teamed up with labor and corporate bigwigs to kick off the 2024 Skilled Trades Career Fair. Over 3,000 CPS students are getting a firsthand look at lucrative careers in the trades at this three-day event hosted at Lakeside Center McCormick Place, ending March 1. The fair features heavy hitters from city agencies, City Colleges of Chicago, and an array of employers, all on deck to school kids on future jobs in sectors such as construction, plumbing, and electrical work.
In a statement obtained by Chicago's official website, Mayor Johnson waxed enthusiastic about the event saying, "I’ve long said that the best investment that we can make in our city is to put W-2's into the hands of our young people." He heralded the fair as a prime showcase for students to grab the knowledge and resources necessary for forging successful careers. Amid the hustle, eager beavers can also throw their hats in the ring for the One Summer Chicago program, getting a crack at summer employment and internships.
CPS Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova, quoted on the city's website, praised the commitment of educators and partners to connect students with such hands-on opportunities. According to Chkoumbova, CPS's mission is to arm its pupils with every possible resource, planting them squarely at the crossroads of potential job offers and valuable training avenues.
Students involved with trailblazing programs like the Plumbers Union Bridge Program got a nod from Mayor Johnson, who met with participants reaping the rewards of their trade tutelage. Angel Benites, a senior from Benito Juarez High School, shared his enthusiasm stating, "Throughout the program, I gained valuable knowledge in plumbing...” he told the city's publication. He detailed how the program not only polished his plumbing prowess but also sparked a keen desire to master the craft. Similarly, Prosser Career Academy senior Jesus Diaz relayed that, despite initial jitters, support from teachers and staff helped him ignite a passion for low-voltage electricity, turning uncertainty into ambition.
The fair isn't just a boon for students; it also serves as a critical stepping-stone for the city's five-year strategic plan in amping up college and career prep. CPS claims more than 50 Career and Technical Education pathways peppered across 80 high schools, laying the groundwork for promising futures in the trades. Chancellor Juan Salgado of City Colleges of Chicago underscored the value of these pathways, emphasizing that through such collaborations, students get tipped off to high-demand jobs that are ripe for the picking.
Business leaders from the region, like ComEd President and CEO Gil Quiniones, cast the spotlight on the importance of nurturing local talent for burgeoning industries, especially the energy sector. Quiniones pointed to ComEd's commitment to shepherding students from diverse backgrounds toward energy jobs that are set to explode as the clean energy revolution picks up steam. With educational programs like Chicago Builds, ComEd hopes to electrify the future workforce that'll grapple with climate change.
George Wright, CEO of The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, chimed in with praise for the career fair's role in unveiling sustainable wage careers to young minds. According to Wright, such initiatives are cardinal in schooling the youth in trades that pave the way for long-term success. With the career fair in full swing until March 1, students are poised to snatch up insights into present and future job markets, gearing up to make themselves indispensable in an ever-evolving workforce landscape.
