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

Grant Community High School

Grant Community High School Career Fair

The fair will take place in our Fieldhouse from 9:25 to 3:10. Registration will close on March 4th.

  • 1700+ students
  • Certifications
  • Juniors & Seniors

March 18th, 2026 09:25 AM - March 18th, 2026 03:10 PM

285 Grand Ave, Fox Lake, IL 60020

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.

Lake County Tech Logo

Tech Campus Career Expo Registration

  • Tech Today: Dedicated to Tomorrow
  • Registration opens Friday, January 16 at 8:00 a.m.: Tech Campus Career Expo 2026 Registration
  • Registration closes March 4th
  • $25 registration fee, with all proceeds supporting our Career Expo Partnership Scholarship
  • Thanks to you, we raised $4,000 for students last year
  • Career Expo Day logistics will be shared in mid-February

    Additional Ways to Partner

  • Guest speaking opportunities
  • Team-Based Challenge Mentorship
  • CTE Month (February) engagements
  • And so much more… 

    Give Me TEN+TECH50 Work-Based Learning Program

  • Students are still seeking internships. We assume liability, and students receive a stipend after completing 60 hours.
  • Thank you for your continued partnership and support of our future-ready students.

March 19th, 2026 12:00 AM - March 19th, 2026 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.

3.25.26 Job Fair pic

Annual Regional Job Fair

Alignment Collaborative for Education and the Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System Region 110 invite you to their Annual Regional Job Fair.

This job fair provides a valuable opportunity to connect with students from the following high schools:

  • Community Unit School District 300
    • Dundee Crown High School 
    • Jacobs High School
    • Hampshire High School
  • Community Unit School District 301
    • Central High School
  • Community Unit School District 303
    • St. Charles East
    • St. Charles North
  • School District U-46
    • Bartlett High School
    • Elgin High School
    • Larkin High School 
    • South Elgin High School
    • Streamwood

Students from the region’s CTE programs will come prepared with resumes in hand, eager to meet with you, learn more about your organization, and explore potential entry-level job opportunities within your company. The job fair is also a wonderful opportunity to promote part-time summer positions with sophomore, junior, and senior level students present. 

Why Participate?
Meet motivated, work-ready high school students
Promote your organization and available job opportunities
Support local workforce development and talent pipelines

REGISTER by FEBRUARY 20th- it is free, quick, and easy! If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out:

📩 Alignment Collaborative for Education – Edgar Montes | montesace@align4edu.org
📩Northern Kane County Regional Vocational System – Todd Stirn | t.stirn@central301.net

March 25th, 2026 09:00 AM - March 25th, 2026 02:00 PM

Elgin Community College’s Field House Events Center (Building J)

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.

SD 308 logo

Oswego SD 308 College and Career Fair

SD 308 is hosting a College and Career Fair at Oswego East High School to allow students the opportunity for postsecondary exploration and planning. This event is open to all SD 308 students and students from surrounding areas.

Industry partners who are interested in hosting a table should complete the interest form connected to this event page.

Due to limited space and the need to ensure representation from all career pathways, we will reach out and confirm spaces once the industry partner attendee list is finalized.

April 16th, 2026 06:00 PM - April 16th, 2026 08:00 PM

Oswego East High School

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.

East Aurora Career Fair 4.22.26

East Aurora High School Career Fair

Please join East Aurora High School at our Career Fair on April 22nd, 2026 from 12pm - 2:30pm. This event is an excellent opportunity to expose our students to job opportunities, vocational training, and other post-secondary avenues. We expect nearly 3,000 freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and seniors to attend!

April 22nd, 2026 11:00 AM - April 22nd, 2026 02:30 PM

: East Aurora High School, 500 Tomcat Lane, Aurora, Illinois 60505

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

Award applications now open. Application deadline: February 8th.

GCAMP Outstanding Manufacturing Awards Application Deadline

Don't miss the deadline for submitting applications for the:Outstanding Manufacturing Student of the YearOutstanding Manufacturing Educator of the YearDeveloping Our Future AwardThe Outstanding Manufacturing Student Award celebrates future makers and creators.  The winner receives a $500 cash prize and is honored at the VIA Spark Awards.The Outstanding Manufacturing Educator Award recognizes educators who are instrumental in developing the next generation of makers and creators. The winner receives a $500 cash prize, $500 for classroom needs, and is honored at the VIA Spark Awards.The Developing our Future Award recognizes a manufacturer who is going above and beyond the rest to support the next generation of manufacturers. Winners are honored at the VIA Spark Awards.

December 18th, 2025 11:40 AM - February 8th, 2026 11:59 PM

Dekalb Mfg roundtable 12.3.25

Dekalb Manufacturing Workforce Roundtable

The DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation and Valley Industrial Association invite you to a Manufacturing Workforce Roundtable on Wednesday, December 3, from 3:30–5:00 PM.This session is designed to be an open, exploratory discussion about the current and emerging workforce needs of DeKalb County manufacturers. Across the region, different counties have adopted different strategies to strengthen their talent pipelines. We’d like to better understand what an ideal workforce support structure could look like specifically for DeKalb County.We will share regional workforce insights and examples of practices used elsewhere—to help guide conversation. The direction of any future efforts will be shaped entirely by the perspectives and priorities shared in this room.

December 3rd, 2025 03:30 PM - December 3rd, 2025 05:00 PM

2179 Sycamore Road, Suite 102 Dekalb, IL 60115

ECC Expo

ECC Apprenticeship Expo

Apprenticeships are more than just training programs—they are a proven way to build a reliable talent pipeline, reduce turnover, and upskill your workforce. By combining classroom learning with structured on-the-job training, apprenticeships help employers ensure employees have the exact skills needed to succeed in their industry.New to Apprenticeships? Join us at the 2025 Apprenticeship Expo to learn more about how apprenticeships can be a powerful tool for the future of your business.Active Apprenticeship Employer? Host a table during the expo to share information about your training programs with high school students, community members, and job seekers who are eager to get started.

November 20th, 2025 09:00 AM - November 20th, 2025 12:00 PM

1700 Spartan Dr, Elgin, IL 60123 Building E

Waubonsee logo

CAD/Engineering Program Advisory Meeting

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. Your feedback is critical for the success of our students. Attend In Person or Remotely- receive the link after completing registration.Please consider joining us or sending a representative from your organization.  Visit our website for more details about this program:Computer-Aided Design and DraftingPlease register by 11/12 or contact agaspar@waubonsee.edu. 

November 14th, 2025 07:30 AM - November 14th, 2025 09:00 AM

In Person at Waubonsee Community College- Sugar Grove Campus- Collins Hall 205 (North Entrance-N1 Parking Lot) OR Attend Remotely

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 workshopComplete 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