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

There are no upcoming events at the moment, but check back soon.

Past Events

forge the future

Forge the Future 2024 Summer Camp

Explore the world of forging through the Forging Foundation’s three-day Forge the Future Summer Camp. Students 15-18 years old will have the opportunity to tour a forging facility, participate in STEAM and team building activities, and learn how to forge. Plus, campers will get to take home their own forging!Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Campers will need their own transportation to and from camp.Please contact Amanda Dureiko, at amanda@forging.org or call 216-781-6260 

July 22nd, 2024 09:00 AM - July 24th, 2024 03:30 PM

Richard J. Daley College 7500 S. Pulaski Road MTEC Campus Chicago, IL 60652

A man working in a shop.

Summer Manufacturing Tour - Tox Pressotechnik

Tox-Pressotechnik began in 1978 in Germany. Today, they are represented across in the globe in 40 different countries, including China, India, Brazil, and, of course, here in the United States. Tox creates the high-tech machinery used to join metal. Their custom machines are used in the automotive, aerospace, medical, solar, and battery industries, by well-known companies such as BMW, Bosch, and Audi. Engineers, machinists, welders, technicians and more all work together to ensure that Tox machinery leads the market in innovation, productivity, quality, safety, low operating costs, and low environmental impact.Students on a Tox tour will see the hands-on work that goes into building a Tox machine. Plus, like at Diemasters, Tox is happy to provide work-based learning opportunities to students. Over the years, Tox has employed many student interns, apprentices, and other young people looking to launch their manufacturing careers.

July 16th, 2024 09:00 AM - July 16th, 2024 11:00 AM

Tox-Pressotechnik, 4250 Weaver Parkway, Warrenville

WA The Diemasters Summer Tour.

Summer Manufacturing Tour - WA The Diemasters

Founded in 1948 on Chicago’s West Side, Weiss-Aug Group / The Diemasters has been making high precision parts and assemblies for almost 80 years. Today, they are located in Elk Grove Village, Illinois, and they serve customers throughout the U.S., producing more than 250,000 stamped parts, assemblies, and fabrications every day. Engineers at Diemasters use AutoCad, Solidworks, and other well-known software systems to design, prototype, and test tooling for new products. The Diemasters' production processes include progressive precision metal stamping, Mig and Tig welding, both automated and assembly using robots.Students on a The Diemasters tour will get to see the high-tech press lines, with up to a 350 Ton capacity, produce parts and assemblies used in the automotive, aerospace, hardware, and medical industries. Plus, Diemasters is eager to hire young people interested in manufacturing careers. Students on a The Diemasters tour should be sure to ask about their apprenticeship program that offers tuition reimbursement for an Associates Degree.

June 18th, 2024 09:00 AM - June 18th, 2024 11:00 AM

WA The Diemasters,2100 Touhy Ave, Elk Grove Village

IMA (Illinois Manufacturing Association) 2023 CCPE Scholarship

The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA), in partnership with Education Systems Center at NIU (EdSystems), is now offering a scholarship to Illinois students who: Will graduate high school in 2024 or previously graduated Have earned the CCPE (College and Career Pathway Endorsement) in Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades (METT) And are planning to continue their education or work in manufacturing, welding, or engineering. This $500 scholarship can be put towards tuition, fees, supplies, textbooks, room, board, job training equipment and uniforms, or other barrier reduction costs that arise. The scholarship awards will be sent directly to students upon postsecondary enrollment or starting work.    Deadline to apply is May 31.  Click the button below to Learn More, 

May 31st, 2024 12:00 AM

VALEES, GCAMP, West Aurora

Weisner Center (West Aurora High School) Manufacturing Breakfast with Mock Interviews

The third annual mock interview event at West Aurora Weisner Center and MFG Breakfast is Wednesday, May 15, 2024!  We hope you can once again give your time to the young people of the West Aurora community. Below are the details along with a registration link. Please plan to join us for part or all of the day! As the enrollment at Weisner Center has grown so too has the need for interviewers, please forward this invitation to anyone in your professional network who cares about young people and their future careers in Building Trades, Machining and Welding! Register here When: Wednesday, May 15, 2024Where: Weisner Center, 1920 W. Galena Blvd., AuroraWho 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.Breakfast Agenda7:30 a.m. - Check-in starts 7:30 a.m. - 7:50 a.m. - Self-guided tour of Weisner Center and breakfast7:55 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. - Welcome8:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. - Program8:45 a.m. - Start mock interviewsMock Interview Time Blocks8:45 a.m. - 11:06 a.m. - Machining and Welding 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Welding1:20 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. - Building Trades and Machining Please contact me with any questions. Cassie Blickem  cblickem@waubonsee.eduDirectorValley Education for Employment System (VALEES, EFE #130)

May 15th, 2024 07:30 AM - May 15th, 2024 02:45 PM

Weisner Center, 1920 W Galena Blvd, Aurora, IL