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

Mike Rowe Scholarship

Work Ethic Scholarships

At mikeroweWORKS, we know the real world doesn’t run on a once-a-year deadline. Training programs start and bills show up year-round. As a result, we've decided to expand our application window and give more hardworking men and women the chance to apply when they’re ready and when funding matters most. This year, you can apply for a scholarship any time between February 23, 2026 until October 31, 2026.

Requirements: 

  • Enroll in an approved program
  • Sign the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge.
  • Answer 4 questions about the S.W.E.A.T. Pledge.
  • Make a video.
  • Have 2 solid references from a teacher or boss.
  • Verify your school costs.
  • Provide high school or college transcript.

February 23rd, 2026 12:00 AM - October 31st, 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.

PMMI-U logo

PMMI Scholarship in Memorial of Claude S. Breeden, Glenn Davis, and Art Schaefer

Established in memory of Claude Breeden, Glenn Davis, and Art Schaefer. All of whom were industry leaders and committed to education and workforce development.

Scholarships in the amount of $4,000 are awarded to students attending a 2-year North American college.

Criteria:

  • Enrolled in a 2-year program in North America for the Fall 2026/Spring 2027 semester
  • Academic Achievement: GPA 3.0 or higher
  • Plans for a career in packaging/processing machinery manufacturing
  • Awards & Recognition
  • Internship/industry involvement

June 7th, 2026 12:00 AM - July 31st, 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.

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.

FMA Sparkforce

Fabricators and Manufacturers Association Foundation scholarships

Spring 2027 Scholarships

Who is eligible: Students majoring in programs that lead to careers in manufacturing. Must be currently enrolled in or entering a certificate or degree program of 12 or more credit hours, with at least a 2.5 GPA for trade, community or technical colleges and a 3.0 GPA for universities. Recommended fields of study are listed here:  https://www.fmamfg.org/foundation/scholarships/eligibility-fields-of-study-nbt-scholarships

Amount: Depends on the scholarship.

Deadline: Scholarships are award in spring and fall. The next round of applications will be accepted between July 1 and Sept. 30, 2026.

July 1st, 2026 12:00 AM - September 30th, 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.

Jacobs High School Volunteer Fair 2026

Jacobs High School Volunteer & Employment Fair

Jacobs High School is excited to invite local employers and community organizations to participate in this event, which will provide juniors and seniors with an opportunity to connect directly with community partners offering part-time employment, volunteer opportunities, community service, career exploration, and other real-world experiences.

This event will be the first industry, employer, and community partner event of the school year supporting the College and Career Readiness Department. It is designed to help students build connections, explore future opportunities, and continue working toward becoming college and career ready.

We hope your organization will consider joining us and hosting a table for this opportunity to engage with Jacobs High School students.

August 11th, 2026 10:45 AM - August 11th, 2026 01:45 PM

Jacobs High School- Field House. 2601 Bunker Hill Dr. Algonquin

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

Gripple 2026 poster

GCAMP Summer Manufacturing Tour: Gripple

Join us for a FREE summer tourExplore the educational pathways that align with high wage, high tech careers.Go "behind the scenes" to see how things we use every day are made.Meet engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.Middle school, high school, and college students, along with parents, teachers, and counselors are all encouraged to attend; however, limited spots are available. Registration is required for all participants. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path! Gripple is an employee-owned business that was established in 1989 as a means of joining agricultural wire fencing together. Today, it's a globally recognized manufacturer, delivering innovative solutions to construction and agricultural markets.Join us to:See the automated machines they build in-houseLearn about jobs in the industrySee manufacturing in action!

July 29th, 2026 09:00 AM - July 29th, 2026 11:00 AM

1611 Emily Lane Aurora, IL 60502

7.14.26 Crossroads Career Expo

Crossroads Career Expo

Connect with Qualified Candidates. Promote Your Company & Career Field. Strengthen Workforce Pipelines.The Crossroads Career Expo will take place on July 14 from 12:00 to 5:00 PM at Bell Works in Hoffman Estates, followed by an optional networking event from 5:30 to 8:00 PM hosted by Roll Call Chicagoland.This sector-focused event will bring together employers, education partners, workforce organizations, and entrepreneurship stakeholders across advanced manufacturing, healthcare, digital infrastructure, and career development fields.

July 14th, 2026 12:00 PM - July 14th, 2026 05:00 PM

Bell Works 2000 Center Dr, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192

Mazak 2026 poster

GCAMP Summer Manufacturing Tours: Mazak

Join us for a FREE summer tourExplore the educational pathways that align with high wage, high tech careers.Go "behind the scenes" to see how things we use every day are made.Meet engineers, plant operators, and other industry professionals.Middle school, high school, and college students, along with parents, teachers, and counselors are all encouraged to attend; however, limited spots are available. Registration is required for all participants. Don't miss out on this unique opportunity to explore your future career path! Mazak is a global, Japan-based, family-owned manufacturer that specializes in creating advanced CNC machine tools. Mazak provides a wide range of machining solutions for industries ranging from aerospace to medical and consumer reports to construction.Join for a half-day Micro Experience. Students will:See a variety of machinesReceive training on a machineWork on a project to take homeLearn about industry career opportunities

June 26th, 2026 09:30 AM - June 26th, 2026 01:30 PM

300 Commerce Dr Schaumburg, IL

Sparkforce Camp 2026 flyer

Sparkforce Summer Manufacturing Camp

Girls Exploring Trades, Tech, and DesignFor Female Students Ages 13-16When: June 22-25 Daily 8:30am-4:00pmCost: $100

June 22nd, 2026 08:30 AM - June 25th, 2026 04:00 PM

Waubonsee Community College Technical Education Ctr., Rm. 119 Rt. 47 at Waubonsee Dr. Sugar Grove, IL 60554

mHub logo

mHUB ROBOT Build & Bash

​Join mHUB for a family-friendly Build & Bash robot competition! Whether you're an amateur, a first-time builder, or an expert just looking to have fun and show how it's done, this event is for you. All attendees will have the opportunity to build DIY robots with technical guidance and take part in obstacles and a bracketed battle later in the day.​Want a leg up? Purchase a "kit" at check-out to ensure you have all the materials you need to dominate.​Feeling confident in your creation? Enter the bracket competition onsite and wrap up the day with epic head-to-head battles starting at 4PM.​*Kids 5-years old and under do not need a ticket

June 20th, 2026 01:00 PM - June 20th, 2026 04:00 PM

1623 W Fulton St, Chicago, IL 60612, USA