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

TRMA MFG day 2025

MFG Day

Vendor Table Registration is now open for the 10th annual Manufacturing Day.

TREP is working with TRMA to create a
louder voice for local manufacturing. 

Every October, in partnership with Joliet
Junior College, TREP/TRMA’s MFG DAY
opens the door and introduces area high
school students to manufacturing.

October 10th, 2025 09:00 AM - October 10th, 2025 01:00 PM

Learn more

Three rivers manufacturing association logo

Counselor Workshop

Connecting Education to Industry 

 

What does it really mean to be college and career ready? This full-day professional development workshop brings together counselors, directors, and social workers with local employers to explore employment trends, in-demand skills, and real-world pathways for students. 

Participants will: 

  • Tour a local business as a guest of an executive.
  • Learn directly from business leaders about workplace expectations.
  • Gain insights into Will/Grundy labor markets, career options, and training opportunities.
  • Return with tools to better guide students toward success. 
  •  

Bonus: Earn 6.5 ISBE Professional Development Units or CEUs for Social Work at no cost—sponsored by TREP. 

There is no fee to attend - this workshop is fully sponsored by TREP and USF.

Space is limited – Register today! 

October 21st, 2025 08:00 AM - October 21st, 2025 03:00 PM

University of St. Francis, Joliet Sue Manner Turk Theater, Tower Hall

Learn more

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)

Illuminate Career Pathways 10.24.25

Illuminate Career Pathways

Business & Industry Partners Needed

Support 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)

Learn more

GCAMP Bags

GCAMP Bags FUNdraiser

Get ready to experience cornhole like never before!

The NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates—home to major concerts and sports—will transform into the ultimate battleground for an electrifying bags tournament. Under the arena lights, teams will compete head-to-head with fierce throws and clutch shots, all with cash prizes on the line for the top two teams.

But the action doesn’t stop there. For those who’d rather swap the boards for cards, or for players knocked out of the tournament, bingo is ready to keep the fun going all night long. It’s your chance to win prizes, cheer on the competitors, and stay in the game no matter what.

Every registration includes a delicious dinner and two drink tickets, so come hungry, bring your A-game, and get ready for a night of high-energy competition and entertainment at Chicagoland’s premier arena.

We’re also seeking sponsors for this exciting event. Sponsorships come with prime marketing opportunities—including visibility at the NOW Arena, recognition during the event, and the chance to showcase your business in front of a lively, engaged audience.

October 28th, 2025 04:00 PM - October 28th, 2025 08:00 PM

NOW Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates

Learn more

Past Events

College of DuPage logo

Dream It, Build It

Fuel your interest in design and engineering and gain new skills on manufacturing machinery. Students brainstorm and prototype their projects, then complete their creations using shop equipment. This two-week camp includes at least one field trip. Family members are invited on the final afternoon as students present their final projects.Monday to Friday, July 7 to 189am to 4pmYEECX-0002-101, $499See page 31 for more information.These camps give students the opportunity to explore the world of manufacturing. Camps include training on industry-standard equipment and field trips to local manufacturing facilities. Students should be dropped off and picked up in the Technical Education Center (TEC). A youth aide will be present for sign-in beginning at 8:45am each day. All students must be picked up within 15 minutes of class ending time. Please contact the Continuining Education Youth Coordinator at (630)942-2208 if before and after supervision is needed. Students should bring a sack lunch.

July 8th, 2025 09:00 AM - July 18th, 2025 04:00 PM

College of DuPage 425 Fawell Blvd, Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 0014. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137

gcamp summer tours 25

GCAMP Summer Manufacturing Tours: Amsted Automotive

GCAMP is excited to host transformational summer tours for students (ages 12+) interested in STEM careers within manufacturing and industry.Explore the educational pathways that align with high wage industry careers.Go "behind the scenes" to see how some of the products we use every day are made.Interact directly with engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.Register for one or more manufacturing tours using the links below. Limited spots are available. Parents, teachers, and counselors are also invited to attend, but each participant must register.Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path!______________________Join us at Amsted Automotive on June 24th from 9am-11am.Amsted Industries is a global, diversified manufacturer of industrial components for rail, commercial vehicle, automotive, and construction and building applications. With over a century of engineering and manufacturing excellence and a commitment to ongoing product and process improvement, our businesses are all leaders in the markets they serve. 

June 24th, 2025 09:00 AM - June 24th, 2025 11:00 AM

737 Peyton St, Geneva, IL 60134

MCC logo

Camp Invention

Save the Date!: Camp Invention is a 4-day creative and open-ended learning camp which includes a rotation of four adventures for students in grades K-6.

June 23rd, 2025 09:00 AM - June 26th, 2025 04:00 PM

McHenry Country College

gcamp summer tours 25

GCAMP Summer Manufacturing Tours: Hoffer Plastics

GCAMP is excited to host transformational summer tours for students (ages 12+) interested in STEM careers within manufacturing and industry.Explore the educational pathways that align with high wage industry careers.Go "behind the scenes" to see how some of the products we use every day are made.Interact directly with engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.Register for one or more manufacturing tours using the links below. Limited spots are available. Parents, teachers, and counselors are also invited to attend, but each participant must register.Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path!________________________Join us at Hoffer Plastics on June 10th from 9am-11am.From our humble beginnings, Hoffer Plastics has grown to become an industry leader and innovator in the custom injection molding industry.  Today, we employ more than 350 people in our 365,000-square-foot facility on 24 acres. We produce more than three billion plastic parts annually and ship to countries around the globe. We have a consistent 99% on-time delivery record and have pioneered numerous product innovations, including the Trust-T-Lok™ line of safety closures for flexible pouch packages. Over the years, we’re proud to have been honored with numerous awards, including “Family Business of the Year," Plastics News “Processor of the Year," the Illinois Governor’s Sustainability Award, 2022 Plastics News Sustained Excellence Award Winner, and Industry Week Best Plants Award 2024.

June 10th, 2025 09:00 AM - June 10th, 2025 11:00 AM

500 N Collins St, South Elgin, IL 60177

College of DuPage logo

GADgET Girls

Girls Adventuring in Design, Engineering, and TechnologyThis two-week camp introduces girls to design and manufacturing processes. Students complete their own projects through guided instruction, explore career paths in manufacturing and engage with women currently working in the field. This program includes at least one field trip. Family members are inviited on the final afternoon as students present their final projects.Monday to Friday, June 9-20 (no class on Thursday, June 19)9am-4pmYEEXC-0002-100, $449See page 31 for more information.These camps give students the opportunity to explore the world of manufacturing. Camps include training on industry-standard equipment and field trips to local manufacturing facilities. Students should be dropped off and picked up in the Technical Education Center (TEC). A youth aide will be present for sign-in beginning at 8:45am each day. All students must be picked up within 15 minutes of class ending time. Please contact the Continuining Education Youth Coordinator at (630) 942-2208 if before and after supervision is needed. Students should bring a sack lunch.

June 9th, 2025 09:00 AM - June 20th, 2025 04:00 PM

College of DuPage 425 Fawell Blvd, Technical Education Center (TEC), Room 0014. Glen Ellyn, IL 60137