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

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

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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

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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)

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

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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)

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Past 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 alouder voice for local manufacturing. Every October, in partnership with JolietJunior College, TREP/TRMA’s MFG DAYopens the door and introduces area highschool students to manufacturing.

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

Congressman Bill Foster’s Career Fair poster

Congressman Bill Foster’s Career Fair

You are invited to participate in Congressman Bill Foster’s Career Fair, hosted in partnership with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) and Waubonsee Community College. This event will connect employers with job seekers and provide an excellent opportunity to showcase your career opportunities.Schedule:Employer Set-up: 8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.Job Fair: 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.Employer Take-down: 1:00 p.m.Registration Deadline: Please register by September 18, 2025.There is no cost to participate, but space is limited. We encourage you to register early to secure your spot.For questions, please contact Maria Manzo at maria.manzo@mail.house.gov or (630) 585-7672.We look forward to your participation in this exciting event and the opportunity to connect talented job seekers with your organization’s needs.

October 2nd, 2025 08:30 AM - October 2nd, 2025 01:00 PM

Waubonsee Community College – Sugar Grove Campus Academic and Professional Center Route 47 at Waubonsee Dr., North Entrance

Valees/VIA/GCAMP

MFG Month Field Trips

Greater Chicago Advanced Manufacturing Partnership (GCAMP), Valley Industrial Association (VIA) and Valley Education for Employment System (VALEES) invite regional manufacturers to celebrate October as manufacturing month by hosting middle and high school students for facility tours and career pathway presentations. Why: To support the career exploration of area middle and high school students by exposing them first-hand to the world of manufacturing and the career pathways within manufacturingDue Date: Complete form by Thursday, September 4, 2025. For additional information or to ask questions about how to plan a tour contact Josi Moran at the VALEES office at 630-466-2953. 

October 1st, 2025 08:00 AM - October 1st, 2025 05:00 PM

Directions 2025!

Directions Fair 2025

We are hosting our annual fair on Tuesday, September 30th and we hope you can join us. The fair showcases post-secondary options for students with IEPs and 504 Plans hosted by High School District 214, High School District 211, Barrington Unit School District 220, Harper College, and St. Viator High School. Representatives from colleges and post-secondary institutions will be available to distribute literature and discuss their programs.Combined, our schools serve more than 3,000 students who receive special education or Section 504 services. This event is intended to reach hundreds of potential future students.Please see the website for more details and the link to Directions Fair 2025 RSVP FORM to reserve a spot at our fair!Website RSVP here 

September 30th, 2025 06:00 PM - September 30th, 2025 08:00 PM

1200 W Algonquin Rd, Building A 2nd Floor, Palatine, IL 60067

NIU

NIU College of Engineering Job & Internship Fair

Join us September 30 from 10:30-3pm at the Barsema Alumni & Visitor Center for our bi-annual Engineering Job & Internship Fair.Meet over 300 students and graduate students from the college's six programs.Registration is $395.  Your registration will provide you with a 6' table, power (if needed), continental+ breakfast, lunch and parking for two reps. Additional reps can be added at registration for $30 each.Space is limited so register now!All proceeds go toward engineering student scholarships, organizations and competition teams.A logistics email will be sent 2-3 days prior to the event.

September 30th, 2025 10:30 AM - September 30th, 2025 03:00 PM

NIU Barsema Alumni and Visitors Center, 231 N. Annie Glidden Road, DeKalb, IL 60115