CHICAGO – With major capital programs underway at both airports – including the $8.5 billion O’Hare 21 terminal redevelopment program readying for takeoff – the Chicago Department of Aviation (CDA) today announced its 2020 Regional Career Fair schedule. A critical workforce development initiative, these quarterly job fairs provide Chicagoans a direct link to hundreds of available jobs at O’Hare and Midway International Airports.

The first event of 2020 takes place today, at Olive-Harvey College, on the City’s far South Side. In 2019, more than 2,000 people attended a CDA career fair, resulting in over 300 on-site hires and 350-plus interviews scheduled. Typically around 65 vendors, ranging from concessions and construction companies to local small businesses, participate at each career fair.

“We want every Chicagoan, regardless of where they live, to know there are opportunities to earn a living and build a career at our airports,” said CDA Commissioner Jamie L. Rhee. “We are at a historic moment in the history of Chicago aviation with major expansions taking place at both O’Hare and Midway, and the CDA is committed to a robust community outreach and workforce development effort for Chicago residents.” 

The dates, times and locations of the 2020 CDA Regional Career Fairs are:

• February 27, 2020 (South) at Olive-Harvey College, 10001 S. Woodlawn Ave., Chicago, IL 60628 from 10 am. – 2 pm.
• May 21, 2020 (West) at the Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60652 from 2 pm. - 6 pm.
• August 11, 2020 (Central) at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Rd., Chicago, IL 60608 from 2 pm. – 6 pm.
• October 21, 2020 (North) at Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett Ave., Chicago, IL 60634 from noon - 4 pm.

The CDA will host four comprehensive workshops each quarter, with an emphasis on job readiness and opportunities at Chicago’s airports and throughout the City. At the sessions, CISCO will host a workshop on how to obtain a union apprenticeship, and the Safer Foundation will host a Transitional Job Session, aimed at getting returning citizens ready to re-enter the job market. ResCare Human Services will focus on resume writing and representatives from Mentoring You will make a presentation on how to bring your A-Game to the workplace.

In addition to its successful career fair efforts, the CDA also sponsors an internship program engaging students from local universities, city colleges, and high school students from CPS - Career & Technical Education Program and through One Summer Chicago. These internships allow young Chicagoans to learn about a variety of aviation careers first-hand.

O’Hare 21 is the result of a landmark agreement between the City of Chicago and its airline partners, and marks the largest expansion in the airport’s history – and the first major capital improvements to O’Hare’s passenger terminals in over a quarter-century. The new Terminal Area Plan (TAP) will completely redevelop existing Terminal 2, add two new concourses, replace and expand aircraft gates, and set in motion a wide range of other improvements that will significantly enhance airline performance and the overall passenger experience. O’Hare 21 is projected to directly create more than 60,000 jobs over the course of the program. The overall regional economic impact will be greater, with a growing O’Hare expected to contribute at least $49 billion to the region while supporting 450,000 jobs across the region.

Meanwhile, at Midway, the Midway Modernization Program (MMP) represents the largest capital improvement program in nearly two decades. The MMP, which is totally reimagining Midway’s concessions offerings, is expected to create over 2,500 jobs. Other improvements include parking garage enhancements and construction of a new and more efficient security screening facility.

Please click here for current career fair and outreach listings.