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

ATDM logo

Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing scholarships

Funded through the U.S. Navy, ATDM scholarships are for four months/600 hours of training in additive manufacturing, CNC maching, non-destructive testing, quality control inspection or welding. The goal of the program is to have a steady and sustainable flow of qualified naval shipbuilding and repair for submarines, but graduates land careers in all different manufacturing sectors. The Institute for Advanced Learning and Research runs and hosts the program in Danville, Va. 

Who is eligible: Applicants must be at least 18 years old, a high school graduate or have GED, seeking employment within the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), willing to relocate for training and/or employment, and able to pass a drug screening and background check. 

Amount: Full scholarships are available for the entire four-month training period, including housing.

June 7th, 2026 12:00 AM - June 7th, 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.

PMAEF logo

Educational Scholarship/Tooling Award

The Precision Metalforming Association Educational Foundation (PMAEF), in cooperation with PMA districts, is offering scholarships/tooling awards of $500 – $3000 to individuals seeking careers 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.

Applicants must:

  • Be a high school senior or a current post-secondary student.
  • Be enrolled in one of the following:
    • Metalforming, manufacturing, technology, engineering, robotics or automation programs
    • Trades, job training, apprenticeship, machining, CNC, tool & die, welding or stamping certificate programs
    • An accredited institution offering at least 20 contact hours in a related field
  • Be pursuing further education for a career in manufacturing through a post-secondary institution, trade/technical school or apprenticeship program.
  • Meet listed requirements to be considered for this scholarship.

October 5th, 2026 07:00 AM - January 31st, 2027 11:55 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.

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.

St. Charles MFG Trades Summit Poster 11.10.26

St. Charles Manufacturing & Trades Summit

Manufacturers and trades businesses in Kane, Kendall and DeKalb counties, join us for a one-day summit exploring career paths and workforce solutions. WorkNet Batavia will be bringing together employers, emerging workforce, training and education partners and economic development groups to respond to business needs and emerging workforce interests.

November 10th, 2026 08:30 AM - November 10th, 2026 04:00 PM

Q Center: 1405 N 5th Ave, St. Charles, IL 60174

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.

TCD Open House 1.14.27 flyer

TCD Winter Open House 2027

Join TCD's Winter Open House to share exciting manufacturing and industry opportunities with students.

Businesses interested in participating should fill out the interest form to receive information on next steps and more event details.

January 14th, 2027 06:15 PM - January 14th, 2027 08:30 PM

Technology Center of DuPage: 301 S. Swift Rd., Addison, IL 60101

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

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 PartnersIf 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 formSET-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

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 stationPlanning Member: Help shape the experience and activitiesSponsor: Support the event and student experienceWe 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

Waubonsee event 10.27.26

Industry to Instructor Workshop

Waubonsee Community College is hosting an Industry to Instructor Workshop on Tuesday, October 27, from 5:30–7:30 p.m. for experienced industry professionals who may be interested in teaching one class a week as a part-time adjunct instructor.The workshop is designed as a low-pressure introduction to teaching, with current adjunct faculty sharing their experiences and information about the support available to new instructors. We’re particularly looking for professionals in areas including Industrial Maintenance, Automation Technology, Machine Tool Technology, Welding, Engineering, and related fields.  

October 27th, 2026 05:30 PM - October 27th, 2026 07:30 PM

Waubonsee Community College TEC Expo Room, Room 232 Sugar Grove Campus Route 47 @ Waubonsee Dr. Sugar Grove, IL 60554

Illuminate Career Pathways 10.23.26

Illuminate Career Pathways

The second annual City of Aurora Illuminate Career Pathways Event for 9th grade students from the greater Aurora area is Friday, October 23, 2026 at Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove Campus. We are seeking employer partners that are excited to speak to young people about career pathways within their industry and to host a booth with an interactive display or hands on demonstration. This is NOT the traditional college and career fair. These are younger students that need hands-on experiences with industry professionals to make informed career choices. 

October 23rd, 2026 07:30 AM - October 23rd, 2026 02:30 PM

Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove Campus Route 47 at Waubonsee Dr., Sugar Grove, IL

10.21.26 Barrington HS Career Fair

Barrington High School Career Expo

Barrington High School is excited to invite you to our fourth annual Career Expo, a dynamic event designed to inspire and inform students about a wide range of career opportunities.  We’re thrilled to offer students in grades 8–12 the chance to explore career pathways, engage directly with professionals like you, and gain valuable insight into the skills and education needed for success in today’s workforce. Last year we had over 2400 high school students and 600 8th graders attend the expo.We would be honored to have your organization participate and showcase the exciting opportunities you offer. RSVP by September 18th.

October 21st, 2026 10:15 AM - October 21st, 2026 02:30 PM

Barrington High School: 616 W Main St, Barrington, IL 60010