On May 4, The Trade Collective hosted its annual Skilled Trades Expo for Evanston Township High School (ETHS) students from freshman through senior year. The event drew more than 200 students, including attendees from Niles D219 and Notre Dame Academy, as well as ETHS CTE teachers, school counselors, and administrators. Forty organizations participated, representing trade unions, postsecondary skilled trades training programs, local employers, and Oakton College. Students had the opportunity to drive a forklift, solve electrical wiring puzzles, strap into a racecar, and speak directly with industry professionals to explore careers and pathways in the skilled trades.
A highlight of the Expo was the on-site recruitment of several graduating ETHS seniors into the Illinois Works Bridge to Construction Pre-Apprenticeship Program by the team at Metropolitan Family Services.
