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

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

PMA Foundation Logo and Image

PMA Educational Foundation Scholarship Deadline

EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP/TOOLING AWARD OPENS OCTOBER 1, 2025& CLOSES FEBRUARY 1, 2026The Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation (PMAEF), in cooperation with PMA Districts, is offering scholarships/tooling awards of $500 - $3000 to individuals seeking a career in the metalforming industry. Each award is for one year and will be granted based on academic merit. Applicants may reapply for consideration the following year.Learn more about Eligibility, Requirements, Selection Process, and Award Procedures at the link!

October 1st, 2025 12:00 AM - January 31st, 2026 11:59 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