• Posted: October 12, 2022
• Apprentice, Chicago Builds, Chicago Public Schools, IBEW Local 134, Life Skills Curriculum, Mario Miller

With school, work and family pressures to contend with, for many Chicago Public Schools (CPS) students, pursuing a position in industries like construction or electrical work can seem difficult, if not impossible.

“When I first started, it was really eye-opening, because the students weren’t very receptive to the construction industry,” Chicago Builds instructor and IBEW Local 134 electrician Mario Miller said. “I had to make an adjustment to get the students on the same page, but now the students have mentioned to me that they don’t get the same thing from any of their other classes.”

Enter Chicago Builds, a citywide, two-year off-campus construction training program for CPS juniors and seniors. While it’s Chicago Builds’ goal to educate potential electricians, carpenters and construction workers on the benefits and considerations of a career in the trades, some of the most valuable lessons learned are focused on life and professional skills.

Creating a “life skills” curriculum

Miller believes the real value of Chicago Builds comes from the mentorship opportunities and life skills students wouldn’t otherwise receive. “It’s more about preparing them for real life after graduation,” Miller said. “Getting to work on time, learning how not to stigmatize themselves, learning about financial literacy and etiquette… there’s just a different mentality as you go into the professional world.” 

Together with other industry partners, Chicago Builds works with the electricians of IBEW Local 134 to maximize opportunities for students who enroll in the program. 

“In 2022 alone, we’ve had 11 first-year apprentices from Chicago Builds,” Miller said, noting that the program provides a pathway for many students to become IBEW Local 134 apprentices. “We now have nine Chicago Builds students that are trainees from the 2022 graduating class. There’s supposed to be four to six students that will be at IN-Tech in October, too.” 

Leaving a lasting mark 

While the work is demanding, Miller noted that mentoring students who might otherwise give up the chance to contribute positively to the larger community is always worth it.

“It takes a lot out of you to give all of what you are to move people in the right direction. Some of them are reluctant, and some are a heavy lift, but in the end it’s worthwhile when they come back and thank you for being completely honest with them.”

Miller mentioned two particular students who came from difficult backgrounds, but persevered in order to build a better life for themselves and their families. “One student was very aggressive, but he really intensified his involvement in the program. Now he’s a c-card journeyman and after learning about financial literacy from Chicago Builds, he’s bought himself a building where he lives and also collects rent from tenants.”

Another student was given a choice by Miller. “I had to pull him to the side and ask him which choice he wanted to make. His first choice [was to live the life he was currently living.] But if he wanted to choose differently, I could show him how to get there,” Miller said. “He realized this was an opportunity to help him improve the heavy burden of his home life.” 

Ultimately, Miller believes it’s this process — the process of showing pre-apprentices another path — that makes Chicago Builds unique.

“For many of these students, they end up being the breadwinners for their homes. I make sure that they understand the responsibility they have. We get some students that are on the fence between being a productive citizen or being on another path that won’t be beneficial to any of us. I try to get them to understand that the decisions they make should be best for themselves and the people they care for.”