The City of Chicago and The Chicago Public Schools (CPS) CEO Pedro Martinez launched a three-day, in-person Skilled Trades Career Fair to give CPS students an up-close look at postsecondary opportunities within the skilled trades. Approximately, 3,000 CPS middle school and high school students had the opportunity to network and learn from hundreds of experts in the field over the course of the fair taking place at McCormick Place. The event brings students together with government institutions, community-based organizations, and companies offering potential employment, training, and internship opportunities to young adults ages 16-24. Applications for One Summer Chicago, the City’s summer youth employment and internship program, will be available on-site. One Summer Chicago builds on the success of the Chicago-bility Program which offers opportunities to young adults, ages 14 to 25. 

The District aims to provide every student with the tools they need to propel them toward a successful career. CPS currently offers more than 50 Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways at over 80 high schools across the city, including 12 programs in construction trades, five in carpentry, three in electricity, three in welding, and one HVAC program. CPS has also developed a strong partnership with City Colleges of Chicago (CCC) through the Chicago Roadmap, which aims to support students along a seamless path to and through post-secondary training on their way to their chosen careers. ComEd serves thousands of Chicago students every year with education programs that prepare a strong and diverse local workforce to take on new jobs in the transition to a clean energy economy. The Skilled Trades Career Fair builds on the District’s commitment to equitable, student-centered education that prepares students socially, emotionally, and academically to enter the workplace, a training program, or higher education.