• Posted: August 9, 2024
• better careers, better communities, better construction, CISCO, Community Building, Construction Industry Service Coordination (CISCO), Elbert Walters III, IBEW Local 134, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute, National Electrical Contractors’ Association’s (NECA), Third Annual, union construction trades, Union Construction Trades Fair

Powering Chicago proudly partnered with the Construction Industry Service Corporation (CISCO) for its third annual Union Construction Trades Fair, hosted by IBEW Local 134.

The free event, open to the public, took place on July 19th, 2024 in Chicago. The fair aimed to educate and inspire the next generation of trades professionals by providing hands-on learning experiences, additional information about apprenticeships, and application deadlines.

“We wanted to do something where it was inclusive to anyone who wanted to come and learn about the construction industry, and we wanted to add all of the necessary elements to help continue them forward into the industry,” said Jamillah Muhammad, Education-to-Careers Director at CISCO.

Muhammad has been with CISCO for over three years. Before that, she was an IBEW journeyperson for 14 years. She spearheaded the inaugural construction trades fair in 2022 to increase access to and awareness of the trades among young people.

“We had an event, gave back to the community, and planted the seed with the youth. We still gave them school supplies to get them ready for the school year and told them how important education is,” Muhammad said.

Representatives from the Chicago-area union construction trades were on hand to answer questions and share information about how to apply for their designated trade’s education program.

During the fair, attendees engaged in hands-on activities offered by IBEW 134, Operating Engineers Local 150, Roofers & Waterproofers Local 11, and the Finishing Trades Institute of Chicago Painters District Council 14, among others. Additionally, bricklayers and a Cement Truck operated by the Teamsters returned this year, contributing to a well-rounded and comprehensive learning experience for all participants.

“The kids will never forget laying brick in place,” Muhammad said.

Throughout the school year, between 200 and 300 schools contact Muhammad and CISCO to request introductions to the trades for their students. Recently, CISCO began a partnership with Jefferson High School, a Chicago Public School located within a juvenile detention center, to highlight the opportunities available in the construction industry. While this year’s fair primarily targeted 14-18-year-olds, it was also open to adults of all ages.

“Before I got into the construction industry, no one ever came out to my school. So, I didn’t know anything about paid apprenticeships or working with my hands, or even getting into construction. When I found out about the Jump Start program, which is test preparation for IBEW Local 134 to become an electrician, I already had a three-year-old daughter and a two-year-old son,” Muhammad recalled.

Raising two children while working three part-time jobs that didn’t provide great insurance coverage or any way to save for retirement became unsustainable for Muhammad. That’s why it is so important to her to help CISCO host a construction skilled trades fair for the third year in a row.

“Once I got into the [electrical construction] industry, they taught me everything. And my first check was more than all three of my checks from my previous part-time jobs combined. And it was just so rewarding that I love the work,” Muhammad said.

Each year, Muhammad successfully leads a campaign to collect 175 backpacks filled with essential school supplies. Following this year’s event, the initiative has cumulatively donated a total of 525 backpacks to students attending the fair.

Last year, the trades fair attracted over 600 attendees, and this year, there were more than 800 individuals in attendance. This steady increase highlights the event’s ongoing growth and its potential to inspire more young people to explore careers in the construction industry.

“There are just so many benefits to going into any trade. We all earn around the same amount, our benefits are all around the same amount, and the fact that you get a free education and they pay you, yeah, that’s amazing,” Muhammad said.

Learn more about attending the annual trades fair and explore the CISCO Education To Careers Program by visiting their website.. Additionally, if you’re interested in learning what it takes to become an IBEW Local 134 apprentice visit the Industry Programs page of our website.