Upcoming Events

February 18 – 20, 2025

2025 Building & Construction Trades Career Expo

Project First Rate will host the 14th Annual Building & Construction Trades Career Expo at the Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center in Rockford. This event highlights registered apprenticeship programs in the building trades. The Expo offers hands-on activities and demonstrations covering a dozen trades and their respective programs.

There are two sessions each day, which are open to the public. Morning sessions run from 10:00 am to 12:oo pm, and Afternoon sessions run from 1:15 to 3:15 pm. The Expo is closed from 12:00 to 1:00 pm each day. Please email info@projectfirstrate.com for more information.

Past Events

February 20 , 2024

Construction Career Night with Tradeswomen United

Tradeswomen United of Northwestern Illinois hosted an event for women, girls, and anyone else interested in learning more about careers and apprenticeship programs in the union construction industry. Experience tradeswomen were on site to provide hands-on activities for various trades, discuss their experience and career in the industry, and share information on how to get started in a lifelong career in the trades.

February 20 – 22, 2024

2024 Building & Construction Trades Career Expo

The Northwestern Illinois Building Trades Council and Project First Rate hosted the 13th Annual Career Expo.  This three-day event hosted over 900 students and community members, who experienced hands-on trade activities. The Expo was hosted at the Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center in Rockford.

April 26, 2023

Tradeswomen United of Northwestern Illinois Launch Event

PFR and TWU hosted the official launch of the women-led effort to increase recruitment and retention of union tradeswomen. The volunteer-led group, part of PFR, is dedicated to strengthening the Sisterhood of Union Tradeswomen and ensuring all girls and women know they have a place in the industry and an opportunity to succeed.

March 03, 2023

Northern IL Construction Policy Workshop

PFR hosted the Illinois Attorney General, Illinois Comptroller and representatives from the Illinois Department of Labor, Capital Development Board and the Foundation for Fair Contracting to present an educational workshop for over 100 employees from public bodies. Topics covered include prevailing wage, responsible bidder ordinances, and diversity in the construction industry.

February 21 – 23, 2023

12th Annual Building Trades Career Expo

The Northwestern Illinois Building Trades Council and Project First Rate hosted the 12th Annual Career Expo.  This three-day event hosted over 800 students and community members, who experience hands-on trade activities. The Expo was hosted at the Plumbers & Pipefitters Training Center in Rockford.

September 30, 2021

First Annual Construction Convention: Women at Work

Project First Rate and the Rockford Housing Authority hosted a virtual convention highlighting the opportunities for women in the union construction industry. This event featured a panel of leaders in apprenticeship readiness programs, registered apprenticeship programs, union trades, and union contractors.  These leaders shared their experiences, successes, challenges, and lessons learned during their extensive careers in the industry.

Presenters included representatives of IBEW Local 364, Carpenters Local 792, Painters Local 607, N-Trak Group, Campos Construction, Rock Valley College HTTCP, and Comprehensive Community Solutions.