Ryan Field construction project provides a career path for some ETHS grads

As construction progresses on Northwestern University’s new Ryan Field, the project is doing more than delivering a world-class facility — it is intentionally investing in Evanston’s young people at a critical moment in their lives.

To date, four Evanston residents — each a recent graduate of Evanston Township High School (ETHS) — have been placed as paid carpentry apprentices working on the Ryan Field project. These placements represent early success in a broader effort to strengthen Evanston’s workforce pipeline for local, union-affiliated construction trade workers.

That effort is now expanding. In partnership with the Mid-America Carpenters Union Local 58 and community workforce organizations, the Ryan Field project is opening opportunities for at least four additional paid carpentry apprenticeships specifically for Evanston residents ages 18-25 who have recently graduated from high school. These roles offer a direct, structured pathway into the union trades at a time when many young adults are searching for meaningful next steps after graduation.

These roles offer a direct, structured pathway into the union trades.

By creating paid apprenticeship opportunities tied to a major local project, the Ryan Field workforce strategy is helping recent graduates move directly into stable, well-paying careers that offer benefits, training and long-term advancement. These deliberate youth career pathways are designed to strengthen Evanston’s workforce ecosystem and ensure the community can participate meaningfully in the economic activity happening in its own backyard.

By focusing on recent graduates and building a clear pipeline into the trades, this effort helps ensure that Evanston’s future builders are not just passing through — but coming from within.

To support the next round of apprentice placements, the Trade Collective — located steps from ETHS — will host a carpentry information and interview session in partnership with the Mid-America Carpenters Union Local 58.

• Learn more: The information and interview session is on Thursday, Jan. 15, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Trade Collective, 1910 Greenwood Street, Evanston. Register now as space is limited >

This session is specifically designed for recent high school graduates who live in Evanston and are interested in starting a career in the skilled trades. Participants will hear directly from union representatives about apprenticeship expectations, training, wages and long-term career growth — and eligible candidates will interview on site.

For more information, contact the Trade Collective at info@thetradecollective.org.