On Friday, August 2nd, the Saint John Baptist Temple Community Development Corporation held its 2nd Annual Building Trade Fair.
The event occurred at 9319-29 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, on the church’s premises. It was eagerly and expertly hosted by SJBTCDC, under the strong leadership of Pastor Benjamin E. Davis, and Coordinator Rev. Mulbe Dillard.
Participants who came out on this partially cloudy morning had the opportunity to:
- Learn how to start a career In the construction industry.
- The application process.
- Establish hands-on experience with various union trades.
- Plus start a career in the construction trade.
Pastor Davis explained, “We are striving to connect with the community. We are not just a church in the community, but an integral part of it, aiming to be effective and provide resources for our young people to transform their lives. Our goal is not only to give them a fish but to truly teach them how to fish so they can lead successful and productive lives. That’s the core focus of our ministry.”
Rev. Dillard has been involved in the trade since the 1970s when he served as the initial foreman for the City of Chicago Water Department in the South District under the late Mayor Harold Washington in 1981.
Rev. Dillard stated, “I began at Brickley Union. I served as the president of the trial board for the United Order of Bricklayers and StoneMasons in Illinois. I have a daughter who’s an electrician and a son who was a plumber with Local 130. None of them went to college. A career is not just a job. They don’t have to go to college; they can come here.”
According to Rev. Dillard in the 1950s, African Americans were not allowed to enter the building trades. There was a trade school called Washburn that was exclusively for white students.
However, today he says that at Saint John Baptist Temple Church, African Americans can now access building trades. They are working to recruit young adults to start as apprentices.
“It has been a blessing. First of all, I want to give thanks to God. Then, we want to thank Pastor Davis for allowing us to have this building trade event here to inform our community and our young men about the opportunities available in the building trade. They can choose from various options including electricians, plumbers, and high lift operators.”
Quotes from attendees
“They provided detailed information about each trade and gave us specifics about when they would be hiring and the application process. We were also informed about which social media outlets to use. They provided information tailored to the specific trade we were interested in, including handouts, applications, and details about getting into the trades, the pay scale, and other relevant information,” said Brother Ham.
Dominic Lynch confessed, “It went great! They had four different companies attend the apprenticeship. It was very informative and beneficial for something like this in the community. I look forward to them bringing it back again with more vendors, if not the same. It was a good experience.”
“Today’s experience was good. There were many different trades available, and the one I was particularly interested in was presented in detail by a young lady. I am currently working as a laborer but looking to transition into a more lucrative and less physically demanding job,” Alvin said.
Consider starting in an apprenticeship program, which offers a starting salary of $55,000 per year. Throughout the apprenticeship, the salary will increase annually until it reaches an hourly wage, which averages around $56 per hour. Upon completing a four-year trade program, the average salary could be at least $105,000.
In contrast, graduating from a four-year college program typically yields an average salary of $55,700 but also comes with substantial tuition debt. By pursuing a trade, you can graduate debt-free and become a highly skilled professional in your chosen field.
“These benefits can make you a master in your craft without being a “jack-of-all-trades,” Rev. Dillard said.
Special thank you to our vendors: Sheet Metal Workers Local 73, IBEW Local 134, I.U.O.E. Local 150, International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers, Chicago Pipefitters Local 597, and others.
For more info contact us at: sjtcdctradefair@gmail.com
Original content by 3:16 Magazine.
