Events

On the GCAMP Calendar of Events you will find:

  • Career/Job Fairs – These are hiring events, often held in anticipation of an upcoming high school or community college graduation, meant to help graduating students find jobs.   Manufacturers - find your next employees here!
  • Career Expos - (also sometimes called Showcases or Trades Fairs) These events are slightly different from job fairs.   They are geared towards younger students to encourage them to pursue a career in industry.   The students at these events are not seeking jobs yet, but they are looking for information about possibly pursuing careers in industry.   Manufacturers are invited to these events to introduce the next generation to the field of manufacturing. 
  • Mock Interviews -These events are for students to learn interviewing skills.  Industry professionals are needed to help conduct the mock interviews, and employers sometimes find potential real-life hires at mock interviews.
  • Advisory Meetings – These meetings allow industry experts an opportunity to give their input on how educators can refine their programs for current trends and technology.  These are great events to connect industry with education.
  • Competition Judge Requests – Student skills competitions are great ways for members of industry to meet skilled students and educators.  Plus, they are often a fun way for those in industry to volunteer their time and give back to the community. 
  • Awards & Scholarships - Awards refer to contests or competitions for people, frequently students, in manufacturing.  Scholarships on our page are for students to help fund their education beyond high school.   See the scholarship descriptions for more details. 

Do you have an upcoming event that you would like us to add to the GCAMP Events calendar?  Tell us about it! 

Upcoming Events

PMA Foundation Logo and Image

PMA Educational Foundation Scholarship Deadline

EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP/TOOLING AWARD
 

OPENS OCTOBER 1, 2025
& CLOSES FEBRUARY 1, 2026

The Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation (PMAEF), in cooperation with PMA Districts, is offering scholarships/tooling awards of $500 - $3000 to individuals seeking a career in the metalforming industry. Each award is for one year and will be granted based on academic merit. Applicants may reapply for consideration the following year.

Learn more about Eligibility, Requirements, Selection Process, and Award Procedures at the link!

October 1st, 2025 12:00 AM - January 31st, 2026 11:59 PM

Learn more

GCAMP MFG Breakfast 11.6.25

GCAMP Manufacturing Breakfast and Facility Tour

The VIA, GCAMP and Waubonsee Community College invite Manufacturers and Community Members to a Manufacturing Breakfast at the new Technical Education Center (TEC) on the Sugar Grove Campus.

A strong community needs a competitive workforce. Enter Waubonsee’s Technical Education Center (TEC) — a building specially designed to meet the rigorous training and educational needs of 21st century technicians, the makers and doers that drive the regional economy and beyond.

This exciting new building gives students, the local workforce, and the wider community more of what they need — increased enrollment capacities, enhanced curricular possibilities, greater opportunity for industry partnerships, and more.

November 6th, 2025 08:30 AM - November 6th, 2025 10:30 AM

Waubonsee Community College Route 47 @ Waubonsee Dr. Sugar Grove, IL 60554

Learn more

11.6.25 D300 Career Fair

District 300 Pathway & Career Fair

Help D300 students explore future career paths, connect with local industries, and get a head start on preparing for the workforce. 

We invite local employers and community organizations to host a table and showcase career opportunities. 

Who: Local employers & community organizations are invited to host tables. This open to all D300 middle and high school students and their families. 

What: Host a table at our Pathway & Career Fair

Questions? Email Mr. Jon Anderson, Coordinator of College and Career Readiness jonathan.anderson@d300.org  

Register: Using the link

November 6th, 2025 06:00 PM - November 6th, 2025 08:00 PM

Jacobs High School- Field House. 2601 Bunker Hill Dr. Algonquin

Learn more

11.6.25 D219 Career Fair Flyer

District 219 "Focus on Your Future" Career Expo & Job Fair

District 219 invites you to participate in our annual "Focus on Your Future" Career Expo and Job Fair. Please note that we're holding this event only once this year, making it an especially valuable opportunity to connect with our exceptional students and engaged parent community.

This event provides a unique platform for you to showcase your outstanding programs and employment opportunities directly to our high school students. We encourage all partners to join us in helping students discover diverse career pathways, build meaningful connections with industry professionals like yourself, and gain valuable insights into their future career and employment options.

We look forward to your participation in this important community event! 

November 6th, 2025 06:00 PM - November 6th, 2025 08:00 PM

Niles North High School 9800 Lawler Ave., Skokie

Learn more

Manufacturing workshop one pager

Maximizing Potential- Virtual Workshop on Disability Employment

You are invited!


Discover practical strategies to tap into a valuable yet often-overlooked talent pool, enhance workplace inclusion, and access available state resources for disability employment. This complimentary virtual workshop—offered by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in collaboration with the Illinois Division of Rehabilitation Services and Stannum Core Solutions—is tailored specifically for small to mid-sized Illinois manufacturers. Participating companies will gain insights into how disability inclusion can strengthen workplace culture, boost innovation, and improve overall productivity.


Who is eligible?


Manufacturing companies in Illinois with fewer than 500 employees. We invite you to register for the upcoming virtual workshop on Thursday November 13, 2025.

Prior to the workshop


Complete a short, 10-minute survey to help us tailor our content to better meet your needs. As a token of appreciation, the first 200 eligible respondents will receive a $10 Starbuck gift card. They survey will remain open through October 15.


https://illinois.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_efgVUZBnH0q9djw

 

November 13th, 2025 09:00 AM - November 13th, 2025 12:00 PM

Virtual

Learn more

Past Events

Manufacturing Job Fair 10.24.25

Career & Job Placement Center Manufacturing Job Fair

Explore career opportunities in one of the fastest-growing and most innovative industries. -Connect directly with recruiters and hiring managers-Network with professionals and learn about career paths in modern manufacturing-Discuss job openings & learn how to apply-Gain insights into industry trends

October 24th, 2025 11:00 AM - October 24th, 2025 01:00 PM

College of Lake County Grayslake Campus Student Street

Illuminate Career Pathways 10.24.25

Illuminate Career Pathways

Business & Industry Partners NeededSupport City of Aurora freshmen, including those from East and West Aurora High Schools, Batavia High School, and Kaneland High School, as they explore careers in the greater Aurora area.Host an interactive booth!

October 24th, 2025 07:30 AM - October 24th, 2025 02:00 PM

Waubonsee Community College, Route 47 @ Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL, Akerlow Hall--Room 202 (Use the North Entrance)

Waubonsie Valley High School logo

Waubonsie Valley High School Career Fair

Waubonsie Valley High School would like to cordially invite you to participate in our Career Connections Program designed to help students explore future career and educational choices. Our Career Fair is back this year, and we could not be more excited for our students to participate in this great event. Our Career Fair will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, with arrival at 8:30 am. This day serves as a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain insights regarding potential careers and the preparation necessary to pursue their post-secondary plans.Professionals are invited to host a booth in our field house where students will rotate through during our five lunch periods from 9:18-1:33. All freshmen will attend the fair the first half of each lunch period, and upperclassmen will have the opportunity to participate throughout all lunch periods or by attending the fair with a class. Continental Breakfast, starting at 8:30 am, and boxed lunches are provided to all fair attendees.We truly feel that your real-world experiences will help motivate students to continue exploring the vast opportunities they have available upon completion of their education at Waubonsie Valley High School. Please feel free to share this invitation with others in your network! We thank you in advance for sharing your valuable time and insight with our students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.

October 23rd, 2025 08:30 AM - October 23rd, 2025 02:00 PM

Waubonsie Valley High School 2590 Ogden Avenue Aurora, IL 60504

Barrington 10.23 save the date

Barrington HS Career Expo

Barrington High School is excited to announce our 3rd Annual Career Expo. As part of our commitment to preparing students for their futures, this event offers an opportunity for them to explore a variety of career pathways, connect with industry professionals, and learn what it takes to pursue the careers they’re passionate about.

October 23rd, 2025 12:00 AM - October 23rd, 2025 11:59 PM

616 W Main St, Barrington, IL 60010 (Main Gym)

Waubonsee logo

Machine Tool Technology Advisory Board Meeting

The Industry and Technology Division at Waubonsee Community College invites you to attend an Advisory Committee meeting in support of the certificate and degree programs in the Machine Tool Technology Program.  We are seeking your input regarding best practices in the field, equipment and technology needs for the program, and the skills and/or credentials you are seeking in employment candidates.  One of the key discussions will involve potentially shifting from NIMS accreditation to SACA certifications. Your feedback is critical for the success of our students. Please consider joining us or sending a representative from your organization.  Visit our website for more details about this program: Machine Tool Technology

October 22nd, 2025 03:30 PM - October 22nd, 2025 04:30 PM

Route 47 @ Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL Akerlow Hall—Room 202 North Entrance--Park in N4 or N8 Lot