Career Exploration Events Connect Chicago Public Schools Students with Pathways to Enter Skilled Trades

CHICAGO – About 1,600 high school juniors and seniors from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) will be attending skilled trades career exploration events over the next month as part of the District’s expanding efforts to increase student exposure to a variety of postsecondary pathways. The events are part of an ongoing collaboration with City agencies, City Colleges of Chicago, and labor and corporate partners, bringing students together with government institutions, community-based organizations, and companies offering access to training, internship opportunities, and potential employment. 

“This important collaboration between the District and our many partners helps bring to life various fields of study and how they can be applied in college and career opportunities,” said CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. “CPS is not just focused on providing the best educational experience possible – we are increasingly making sure that students see the connection between classroom lessons and a variety of real-world careers. Collaboration with higher education, non-profit and private organizations and companies supports our students' journey to success. Their success benefits not only themselves and their families but our workforce and city.”

On Thursday, CEO Martinez and a number of other guests – including labor, corporate, and City partners – toured the first of four events, which was hosted by HIRE360 and focused on renewable energy and solar jobs. Three more events over the next month will connect students to other skilled trades, such as plumbing, lead service line replacement, and carpentry.

The District aims to provide every student with the tools they need to propel them toward a successful career. CPS currently offers 34 Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways at more than 80 high schools across the city, including 12 programs in construction trades, five in carpentry, three in electricity, three in welding, and one HVAC program. The District’s CTE programs allow students to gain work experience for in-demand careers as well as provide opportunities to earn early college credit and industry-recognized certifications and skills training at seven CPS high schools. 

"HIRE360 is thrilled to host the first of these skilled trades recruitment events at our new Training and Business Development Center,” said Jay Rowell, Executive Director, HIRE360. "This partnership is about more than just one event—it’s about creating lasting opportunities for students to explore rewarding careers in the trades. Skilled trades provide a strong, stable, and well-paying career path, and we are proud to work with our partners to ensure that Chicago’s youth see these opportunities firsthand. By connecting students directly with industry professionals and hands-on experiences, we’re helping build a pipeline of talent that will shape the future of our city’s workforce.”

The events are open to high school juniors and seniors who are interested in the trades and are eligible to apply to apprenticeships or bridge programs, which prepare students for entry into apprenticeships through technical skill development and academic readiness support. Students at the events will participate in sessions designed to give them hands-on experience in aspects of each skilled trade (such as solar panels or pipe joining), program recruitment, and direct support to register for the next steps.

The events reflect CPS’ strong partnership with City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) through the Chicago Roadmap, which aims to support students along a seamless path to and through post-secondary education and training, on their way to their chosen careers. The skilled trades career exploration events highlight this network of supportive and aligned government and community partner services that allow students to explore many professional options and connect them to opportunities that will make them competitive for high-demand occupations.

At the Skilled Trades events, City Colleges will introduce students to Career Launch Chicago (CLC) and its innovative summer Aim to Launch (A2L) program, which enables high school students to earn college credits in construction and advanced manufacturing at City Colleges of Chicago. This program serves as a valuable steppingstone to CLC's Youth Apprenticeship opportunities, creating a direct pathway for CPS students to enter high-demand careers. Through CLC's comprehensive approach, students can transition smoothly from initial career exploration to hands-on training and paid apprenticeships in their chosen field.

"Through the Chicago Roadmap, we are working closely with CPS to create clear pathways to post-secondary education for Chicago students," said City Colleges Chancellor Juan Salgado.  "The skilled trades fairs are among the several ways we are exposing students to the many high-demand career possibilities in our city and to the educational opportunities that prepare them to realize their goals."  

Alondra Ramirez, a recent graduate of CPS’ Benito Juarez Community Academy, is thriving as a first-year apprentice with Plumbers Local 130, working on projects for new construction buildings. She had always intended to enter a trade, following in her father’s footsteps, and was able to jump start her career right after she graduated high school using a Bridge program as her pathway. 

“I like that my job is hands-on and I’m always moving around, doing different things in one day and incorporating my own touch on things,” Ramirez said. “There are a lot of opportunities in the trades and I think we need to tell more students about the benefits. I am right out of high school and already in a career pathway.”