Record-breaking crowd highlights CISCO’s 5th Annual Union Construction Trades Fair
July 22, 2026
BURR RIDGE – A record-breaking 1,300 students, educators, parents and community members registered for CISCO’s 5th Annual Union Construction Trades Fair, demonstrating the growing interest in Union construction careers and Apprenticeship opportunities throughout northern Illinois.
Held at IBEW Local 134 on July 17, the annual event connected attendees with dozens of Union Apprenticeship programs, Union contractors, educational institutions and workforce organizations. Beyond learning about careers, visitors experienced hands-on demonstrations, asked questions of Apprenticeship coordinators and discovered the many pathways available in the skilled Union trades.
“What makes this event special is that it reaches everyone,” said CISCO Assistant Executive and Education-to-Careers Director Jamillah Muhammad, who spearheaded the event. “We had high school students exploring careers, teachers looking for resources, parents asking questions, community organizations building partnerships and even lifelong learners discovering new opportunities,” she added.
CISCO Executive Director Stephanie Kifowit said CISCO is committed to building connections between our communities and the Union construction industry. “A record turnout of 1,300 attendees tells us there’s a tremendous need for events like this.”
For Oak Lawn Community High School District 229 Guidance Counselor Tim Krupa, bringing 14 students to the Trades Fair marked the realization of a goal years in the making.
“I’ve always wanted to bring students here, but I wasn’t sure we’d get anyone during the summer,” Krupa said. “I reminded them the week before, and every one of them said they were still coming. Next year, we’ll probably bring two buses.”
When advising students interested in exploring construction careers, Krupa regularly uses CISCO’s website and digital Apprenticeship Guide booklet. “When a student is interested in a trade, we go right to the CISCO website. We watch the videos, review the requirements and compare different trades. The website is awesome.”
Accompanying Krupa was Oak Lawn science and industrial technology teacher Mike Bielski, who believes students deserve to see career options beyond a traditional four-year college.
“I’m fully invested in making sure our students leave high school with career opportunities and connections,” Bielski said. “Union Apprenticeship training gives them the chance to earn a great living while continuing their education.”
Throughout the day, Bielski watched students become increasingly engaged. “Some of my quietest students came up excited about the conversations they had,” he said. “They’re asking the right questions, showing me what they’ve learned and gaining confidence.”
One former student, who once struggled to find direction, arrived knowing exactly what he wanted. “He told me, ‘I couldn’t decide between bricklaying and tile work, but now I know I want to do tile,'” Bielski recalled. “That’s what this event does. It helps students find clarity.”
For Chicago Jobs with Justice Organizing Director Angie Moreno, the Trades Fair became an opportunity to introduce her younger brothers to careers they had never previously considered. “We don’t know many people in construction, and even if we do, they aren’t in Union jobs with formal training,” Moreno said.
“One is interested in accounting, so he spoke with ABOC about accounting careers within the Unions,” she said. “The other is interested in HVAC and had a great conversation with the Plumbers. I’m really glad we came,” Moreno said.
The Trades Fair also attracted higher education leaders seeking to strengthen partnerships with the Union construction industry. College of DuPage President Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi said the event inspired the college to expand its own outreach efforts.
“College of DuPage serves approximately 27,000 students, and we have a large construction program with many different trades,” Siddiqi said. “Seeing what CISCO has built here has inspired us to host our own Trades Fair this November.”
Not everyone attending the Trades Fair was searching for a career.
Lifelong learner and Harvey resident Carmen Holmes came simply to learn. A lifelong learner, Master Gardener, Master Naturalist and community advocate, Holmes said one educational opportunity continually led her to another, which ultimately led her to CISCO’s Trades Fair.
“I said to myself, ‘Let me go see what this Trades Fair has to offer,'” Holmes said. “There are a lot of things I think I want to do that are still on my bucket list.”
She wants to better understand the skilled Union trades while building relationships with industry professionals. “I wanted to network and learn about each Union, their training programs and how everything works,” she said.
