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

SME Education Foundation logo

SME Education Foundtion Scholarships for High School Seniors

The SME Education Foundation awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing manufacturing and engineering related courses at two- or four-year technical schools, community colleges and universities within the United States or Canada. Students can apply for the scholarships below through our online application during our annual acceptance period starting on November 1 and ending on February 1.

Several different opportunities and their criteria can be found by clicking the "Learn More" button.

November 1st, 2026 12:00 AM - February 1st, 2027 11:59 PM

Learn more

This is not a GCAMP event, but is one that we believe in. This event aligns with our shared goal of connecting students and job seekers with real manufacturing career opportunities. Any inquiries, including event logistics and registration, should be directed to the hosting organization.

GCAMP, proud to be Chicagoland’s manufacturing workforce connector.

Three rivers manufacturing association logo

TREES 6th Grade Career Discovery Day

The Three Rivers Education for Employment System (TREES) is excited to host a 6th Grade Career Discovery Day on Tuesday, November 5th at Joliet Junior College—and we invite you to be part of it.

6th graders from Will and Grundy counties will rotate through interactive, hands-on career stations, giving them a chance to explore different careers and see your work in action.

We are looking for community partners to get involved in a way that works best for you:

  • Exhibitor: Host a hands-on career station
  • Planning Member: Help shape the experience and activities
  • Sponsor: Support the event and student experience

We are also seeking partners who can help identify additional businesses to host stations and provide volunteers to engage with students throughout the day.

Please feel free to share this opportunity with others who may be interested in connecting with students and supporting career exploration.

November 5th, 2026 09:00 AM - November 5th, 2026 12:00 PM

Joliet Junior College

Learn more

This is not a GCAMP event, but is one that we believe in. This event aligns with our shared goal of connecting students and job seekers with real manufacturing career opportunities. Any inquiries, including event logistics and registration, should be directed to the hosting organization.

GCAMP, proud to be Chicagoland’s manufacturing workforce connector.

D219 Career Fair

D219 Focus On Your Future: Career Resource Fair

Niles Township High School District 219, Skokie, will be hosting its Annual Community-Wide FOCUS ON YOUR FUTURE: Career Resource Fair.  

All area students (grades 8-12 from D219 and other public and private institutions), parents and community members are invited to attend this Career Resource Fair to meet with representatives from local companies, organizations and institutions which offer post-secondary, non-traditional options including associate degrees, certificate programs, apprenticeships, or other job training credentials, as well as gap-year, study-abroad experiences, and summer enrichment programs.

Note to Institutional and Industry Partners

If your business/organization/institution offers such post-secondary, non-traditional, career-oriented options as listed, this upcoming event may be of interest to you. Help current and soon-to-be graduating high school students discover fulfilling careers that can be attained through non-traditional education and training.

  • EVENT REGISTRATION: Please complete the registration form
  • SET-UP: D219 will provide 1 table and two chairs unless you notify us otherwise, and a table top sign with the business name and the brief description provided in the registration form.
  • ARRIVAL: 4:30pm - 5:45pm  (details included in confirmation email)
  • Light Dinner will be provided. 

*BUSINESSPERSON/GUEST WILL NEED TO BRING A VALID PHOTO ID: DRIVER'S LICENSE or STATE PHOTO ID to enter our campus

November 5th, 2026 06:00 PM - November 5th, 2026 08:00 PM

Niles West High School 5701 Oakton St. Skokie, IL

Learn more

This is not a GCAMP event, but is one that we believe in. This event aligns with our shared goal of connecting students and job seekers with real manufacturing career opportunities. Any inquiries, including event logistics and registration, should be directed to the hosting organization.

GCAMP, proud to be Chicagoland’s manufacturing workforce connector.

Stevenson High School Logo

2027 Stevenson HS Summer Job Fair

Help students explore career opportunities!

Help Stevenson High School students explore work opportunities – jobs, volunteer opportunities, or internships – for Summer 2027.

800 students are expected to attend during their lunch periods.

FYI: The Expo is open to the community after 4:00 PM. Anyone can walk in.

Contact Linda Bloomfield, Career Resource Specialist, at lbloomfield@d125.org for more information or to register.

February 12th, 2027 10:45 AM - February 12th, 2027 02:00 PM

Adlai E. Stevenson High School 1 Stevenson Drive Lincolnshire, IL 60069

This is not a GCAMP event, but is one that we believe in. This event aligns with our shared goal of connecting students and job seekers with real manufacturing career opportunities. Any inquiries, including event logistics and registration, should be directed to the hosting organization.

GCAMP, proud to be Chicagoland’s manufacturing workforce connector.

Waubonsee logo

Waubonsee CAD Club: Canstruction

Calling all Engineers!

Waubonsee's CAD Club is looking for volunteers to serve as architects for "Canstruction."

Your involvement would include:

  • Participating in meetings with the CAD Club to help them develop and refine their sculpture design.
  • Being present on February 17, 2027, when the students bring their design to life by constructing the sculpture out of canned goods.
  • Each team will design and construct a sculpture within a 10' x 10' x 10' space.

 

What is Tri-Cities Canstruction?

Canstruction® is an international hunger-relief charity that hosts "design and build" competitions featuring sculptures made entirely from unopened cans of food. The competition brings together creativity, engineering, architecture, construction, and philanthropy to raise awareness of food insecurity while helping fight hunger in our communities.

Teams, working alongside an architect, engineer, or professional contractor, will design their entry and build it onsite at Waubonsee Community College on February 17, 2027. Structures—averaging 2,000–2,500 cans and standing up to 10 feet tall—will be judged before being placed on display for free public viewing.

Tri-Cities Canstruction is a collaborative effort of the Batavia, Geneva, and St. Charles Area Chambers of Commerce, hosted by Waubonsee Community College. At the conclusion of the exhibit, every structure is carefully dismantled, and 100% of the canned food is donated to the food pantry selected by the team.

February 17th, 2027 12:00 AM - February 17th, 2027 11:59 PM

APC Building on Waubonsee’s Sugar Grove Campus

Learn more

This is not a GCAMP event, but is one that we believe in. This event aligns with our shared goal of connecting students and job seekers with real manufacturing career opportunities. Any inquiries, including event logistics and registration, should be directed to the hosting organization.

GCAMP, proud to be Chicagoland’s manufacturing workforce connector.

Past Events

TouchTunes 2026 poster

GCAMP Summer Manufacturing Tours: TouchTunes

Join us for a FREE summer tourExplore the educational pathways that align with high wage, high tech careers.Go "behind the scenes" to see how things we use every day are made.Meet engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.Middle school, high school, and college students, along with parents, teachers, and counselors are all encouraged to attend; however, limited spots are available. Registration is required for all participants. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path! TouchTunes is the largest in-venue interactive music and entertainment platform. They released the first pay-for-play digital jukebox in 1998 and have helped bring music to millions of people. Join us to:Learn about engineering and supply chain careersLearn about technician jobsHear about their products, such as jukeboxes and electronic dartboardsLearn about the industry!

June 16th, 2026 09:00 AM - June 16th, 2026 10:30 AM

450 Remington Rd Schaumburg, IL

In the Workplace Aurora series 2026

Develop Your Workforce with East and West Aurora School Districts

Join leaders from East and West Aurora School Districts and the P-20 Network for a dynamic professional development event exclusively for employer partners in the greater Aurora area. Discover how engaging in career awareness, work-based learning, internships and much more can strengthen your workforce strategy and build a future-ready talent pool. Invest two hours with us and help the next generation of Aurora's workforce while advancing your organization's talent goals. This project is supported by the Dunham Foundation. Breakfast is included.

June 11th, 2026 08:30 AM - June 11th, 2026 10:30 AM

West Aurora Weisner Center - 1920 W. Galena Blvd. Aurora

UMW 2026 poster

GCAMP Summer Manufacturing Tours: UMW

Join us for a FREE summer tourExplore the educational pathways that align with high wage, high tech careers.Go "behind the scenes" to see how things we use every day are made.Meet engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.Middle school, high school, and college students, along with parents, teachers, and counselors are all encouraged to attend; however, limited spots are available. Registration is required for all participants. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path! UMW is a family-owned, woman-owned precision machining facility specializing in machining hydraulic manifolds. They also provide services to the automative, construction, agriculture, and printing industries, among others. Join us to:See their 25+ CNC machinesLearn about precision CNC Milling and moreLearn about jobs in the industrySee manufacturing in action

June 10th, 2026 10:00 AM - June 10th, 2026 11:30 AM

601-605 Lunt Ave Schaumburg, IL

PMMI-U logo

PMMI Scholarship in Memorial of Claude S. Breeden, Glenn Davis, and Art Schaefer

Established in memory of Claude Breeden, Glenn Davis, and Art Schaefer. All of whom were industry leaders and committed to education and workforce development.Scholarships in the amount of $4,000 are awarded to students attending a 2-year North American college.Criteria:Enrolled in a 2-year program in North America for the Fall 2026/Spring 2027 semesterAcademic Achievement: GPA 3.0 or higherPlans for a career in packaging/processing machinery manufacturingAwards & RecognitionInternship/industry involvement

June 7th, 2026 12:00 AM - July 31st, 2026 11:59 PM

5.12.26 West Aurora Mock Interviews

West Aurora Weisner Center Mock Interviews

You are invited to an employer advisory meeting and mock interviews of West Aurora High School Weisner Center students from the Building Trades, Machining and Welding programs.Who is invited: 1.) Employers in the Aurora area interested in learning more about the current programming at the Weisner Center in Building Trades, Machining and Welding.2.) Employers in the Aurora area hiring for positions in Building Trades, Machining and Welding.You don't need any past experience with high school students or in other events like this to participate. We will supply mock questions and all the support you need to be successful.

May 12th, 2026 07:35 AM - May 12th, 2026 02:45 PM

Weisner Center, 1920 W. Galena Blvd., Aurora