CPS skilled trades recruitment event sparks interest in career pathways for high school juniors, seniors

Over a thousand Chicago Public Schools students gathered at Hire360’s center on the Near South Side Thursday to attend a skilled trades recruitment event, exposing them to postsecondary pathways other than traditional four-year colleges and universities.

As part of an ongoing collaborative effort with city agencies, City Colleges of Chicago and labor and corporate partners, the district has been working to connect students with trades career paths, allowing them to explore potential career opportunities following graduation.

“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,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said in a news release. “Their success benefits not only themselves and their families but our workforce and city.”

When crafting this event, CPS Chief of College and Career Success Megan Hougard said they wanted to provide students who are interested in pursuing a career in trades after graduation the equivalent of a college visit.

This is the fourth year the skilled trades event has been held, Hougard said, and the previously larger event is now broken down into four events over the course of a month allowing students the chance to explore career paths in a smaller, more personal setting.

Hosted by Hire360 Thursday morning, the first of the four events focused on renewable energy and solar jobs. The remaining three events will touch on plumbing and carpentry, as well as one event titled “Putting Chicago to Work” that will cover several career paths.

“HIRE360 is thrilled to host the first of these skilled trades recruitment events at our new Training and Business Development Center,” Jay Rowell, the organization’s executive director, said in a news release. “This partnership is about more than just one event — it’s about creating lasting opportunities for students to explore rewarding careers in the trades.”

The event, open to high school juniors and seniors interested in the trades, introduced students to career opportunities at Peoples Gas, ComEd and a lab where students can submit a One Summer Chicago application to explore other employment opportunities throughout Hire360. Hands-on demonstrations where students repaired gas pipes and learned about solar panels helped them get a better grasp of the work that employees perform in the field.

Adriel Castillo, a junior at Roosevelt High School in Albany Park, said he’s begun exploring pathways following graduation and is weighing several options such as college, the Army and possibly a career in trades. Thankful for the opportunity to learn about different opportunities available to him in the city, Castillo said his interest has been sparked by some of the programs at the event.

“(The event) shows more opportunities, as my parents don’t have that,” Castillo said. “They want me to explore different options. My counselors want me to look into different options as well as different pathways, and here I was able to learn.”

For other students, the ability to attend events like these has allowed them to solidify their paths following graduation. Senebia Hodges, a senior at Simeon Career Academy in Chatham, is planning to pursue carpentry in a couple of months, following graduation. While she was previously considering attending a four-year college, she realized she wanted to do something more hands-on.

“My carpentry teacher, Mr. Rowsey, he really inspired me,” Hodges said. “He really drove me to want to do this. He’s introduced us to so many trade skills fairs like this, and this is what motivates me to go into carpentry.”

Going to school, Hodges said the idea of college is primarily pushed on students, leaving her and others who’d like to pursue trades feeling excluded. By being able to attend these events, Hodges said it opens up the possibilities of what students can pursue after high school and doesn’t limit them to “stay in one box.”

Attending the event Thursday, Hodges said it’s empowering to see the various career paths and adults in attendance educating students on what’s available to them.

“It makes me want to do (carpentry) more, especially with more people of color that are in the trade,” Hodges said. “I love that, and I love how they put this together.”