Mayor Rahm Emanuel, U.S. Representative Bobby L. Rush (IL-01), the Chicago Building Trades and Chicago Public Schools (CPS) announced Dunbar Career Academy High School will establish a comprehensive citywide construction trades program in the 2016-17 school year. Due to increasing demand by employers for the skilled trades, the “Construction Trades Campus at Dunbar” is designed to create a model school focused on teaching students skills in the following industries: general construction; carpentry; heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC); welding; and electricity. These investments will provide Chicago’s students greater choice in career paths and training that will set them on a path to the middle class.

Dunbar will expand its current career and technical education offerings to serve as a citywide hub for students to gain entry into the construction trades. The Construction Trades Campus at Dunbar will offer an intensive two-year option for students from schools throughout the city to attend daily classes that will provide them access to the construction trade industry and the requisite skills to pursue paths such as apprenticeships, post-secondary education, certification programs, or a living-wage job. To ensure students are exposed to modern professional practices, CPS is partnering with McCormick Place, construction firms and trade unions including the Regional Council of Carpenters, IBEW Local 134, IUOE Local 150, Laborers’ District Council, and Pipefitters’ Local 597, which will help guarantee the program is a relevant, useful introduction to the skilled trades. Additionally, Peoples Gas has committed to hosting students for a training program at their new training facility. CPS is now accepting applications for the construction programming at Dunbar for the upcoming school year. To learn more about construction trades pathways and to apply, please visit ChicagoBuilds.org.