PNHS students can explore trades by taking classes Junior and/or Senior year at the WILCO Area Career Center.  Please talk to your Counselor for more details.

If you're interested in trade school, make sure you do your research and tour campuses.  Universal Technical Institute is one example of a local trade school that focuses on automotive, diesel, and welding in Lisle, IL.  Make sure you take a list of questions to ask when visiting trade schools.  Questions about accreditation, financial aid, job outlook, career support services, and employer relationships are extremely important to get answered.  

After graduation, students interested in the trades can consider an apprenticeship.  Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable credential.  While it is used in traditional industries such as construction and manufacturing, apprenticeship is also instrumental for training and development in growing industries, such as health care, information technology, transportation and logistics, and energy.

The US Department of Labor has lots of information on their website, including opportunities in the Chicagoland area.

For more information, please contact the local unions.  Here is a complete list of Skilled Trade Labor Unions in the state of Illinois along with their websites and application info.  Below is a list of specific local unions in the area.

• Ironworkers Joint Apprenticeship and Traning Committee - Local Union No. 444 

• Chicago Pipefitters Training Center - Local 597

• Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters 

• Chicago Roofers Apprenticeship

• Contractors Association of Will and Grundy Counties

• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) - Local 176

• Iron Workers - Local 444

• Local 17 Heat and Frost Insulators

• Operative Plasterers and Cement Masons Union

• Three Rivers Manufacturers’ Association

• Local 130 Plumbers and Tech Engineers 

Apprenticeship programs through companies:

• 2024-2025 coming soon

• NECA IBEW Local 176 Electrician's Union (11/9/22) is looking for interested students to join their apprenticeship program. Graduated students can earn money while they learn.  Visit website for more info and application.  

• Print and Mailing Solutions (4/12/22), is considering starting an apprenticeship program for students that may be interested. Students would need to be 18 years old or older.  PAMS is the largest independent third-party non-printer providing mailing services to the print media and direct mail marketplace. The apprentice program would involve hands on learning for the following careers/positions:  Various machine operator positions adnd Maintenance mechanic position.  Email Ron Pechstein for more info.

• The Mechanics Local 701 (2/25/22) is the largest Mechanics Union in the Country with roughly 6000 members and technicians at over 300 dealerships and 200 fleet companies.  The job market for Technicians is booming and we can provide a direct path to employment.  Local 701 training offers  $0 Tuition Automotive and Truck programs with connection to Union technician jobs.  This is a great  opportunity for your students and we are moving to Aurora and expanding our training center.  Contact info: Dan Lentino, Training Director.    630-242-2885;  Local 701 Training Website ; Email Dan Lentino