The Trade Collective

The Trade Collective Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Trade Collective, Nonprofit Organization, 1910 Greenwood Street, Evanston, IL.

Raising awareness and expanding access to skilled trades through education, events, and real-world exposure for young adults age 14-18 in the Evanston, IL area.

05/28/2026

He went in to buy something. He has been there 9 years.
(Full episode link in comment!)

That is Stefan Johnson's story at Abt Electronics. Now he is the one bringing in young talent like Josh Eddy. Josh is a 20-year-old from Evanston who had plans to attend Illinois State, but life had other plans and he found his path into the skilled trades through The Trade Collective.

One month in, Josh rates it a 10 out of 10. He is getting paid to learn. He is already talking about staying 20 years.

Full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube. Search "Fired Up Podcast Trade Collective."



Fired Up Podcast is co-hosted by Pete Bavis, Ph.D., and Patrick Hughes, Jr. Produced by SparkRaw Media for The Trade Collective.

05/13/2026

Putting Your Stamp on the Workplace 🔥
(Full Ep link in comment below 👇)

David is extremely smart but did not like school at all.

Ewan was a fantastic student who got high marks and was college ready, but was not engaged by college curriculum.

Both lacked direction and questioned their career paths. That was until they found Tom Ward from Ward Manufacturing and began careers in the skilled trades.

Listen to hear how far their passions have taken them in a workplace that supports them.



Catch the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube by searching "Fired Up Podcast Trade Collective.

04/29/2026

ETHS Students: A Message From Dr. Campbell encouraging you to attend the Trade Collective's Skilled Trades Expo on Monday, May 4, from 2:30-4:30.

04/21/2026

Blueprints and Bleachers: How to Building a Construction Career in Construction and a Stadium 🔥

Full ep link in the comment 👇

Geoff Moore is currently a vice president and construction executive leading the way for the new Ryan Field Stadium project for Turner Construction Company, the largest construction company in the world. So, it is safe to say he knows a few things about having a successful career in construction.

Listen to hear Geoff share his tips for standing out in the workplace and preparing for a construction career even before high school graduation.



Catch the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube by searching "Fired Up Podcast Trade Collective.

04/16/2026

1 in 4 ETHS students doesn't go to college.

That's not a problem. It's an opportunity.

Mekbib's parents saw it that way too.

Watch the clip.

Check out the full Episode 6 on YouTube, or listen on your favorite podcast platform.

🎙️ Fired Up Podcast

04/07/2026

Proof of concept. 🔥

Alan Muir is out in the field with AA Service doing HVAC, plumbing, and electrical work. Mekbib Boarini just landed his first real job at Abt and is already showing up before his alarm goes off.

Neither had a clear path after high school. Both found their way to the Trade Collective, and now they're building real careers in their community.



Catch the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube by searching "Fired Up Podcast Trade Collective."

Fired Up Podcast is co-hosted by Pete Bavis, Ph.D., and Patrick Hughes, Jr. Produced by SparkRaw Media for The Trade Collective.

04/05/2026

College is an option but not the only option. Mayor Biss agrees with working to remove the sigma around not going to college and pursuing passions in trade work.

Hear the rest of the conversation on Ep. 5 of the Fired Up Podcast streaming now on YouTube, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

04/01/2026

“If you find something you like just do it!”

If you’re thinking college is not your path, take advice from John Kenny Jr. of Kennedy Construction. You will never waste time following your passions.

From Ep.5 of the Fired Up Podcast

03/26/2026

Most of us grew up hearing the same thing.

Get good grades. Go to college. That's the goal.

And if that wasn't your path?

Well, "we'll figure something else out for you."

Mayor Daniel Biss calls that what it is: the wrong attitude.

Because when you actually step back and ask the honest question, is a college grad automatically contributing more to society than the person who built the building you're sitting in right now?

The answer is obvious. And it's time we started acting like it.

Full episode linked in comments. 🔥

03/23/2026

John Kenny Jr. got a call from Mayor Daley at 5am. By the end of the day, he had a plan, a crew, and a city to save. That's 30 years of construction leadership in one story.

Hear from the man who stopped the 1992 Chicago flood and what he has to say about the importance of skilled trades jobs for our community. Walked into our studio.

In Episode 5 of the Fired Up Podcast, John sits down with Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss and our co-hosts to talk about what it really takes to build skilled trade careers, not just buildings, in the Chicagoland area.

Full episode link in comment 👇

They cover:

→ How Ryan Field became a pipeline for Evanston youth into the skilled trades
→ Why the trades are considered more AI-proof than most careers people are chasing
→ What local government can actually do to make big projects benefit local workers
→ Why a traditional 4-year degree isn't the only path for youth and what we've been missing

This is the conversation that needs to happen in every community.

🎙️ Mayor Daniel Biss
Mayor of Evanston and Democratic nominee for Illinois' 9th Congressional District. A decade-long advocate for working families who helped turn the new Ryan Field Stadium project into a real career pipeline for local youth.

🎙️ John Kenny Jr.
Former CEO of Kenny Construction Company. The man Mayor Daley called to lead the emergency response to the 1992 Chicago flood. Over 30 years of hands-on construction and contracting experience across the Chicagoland area.

🔥 Special episode out today. New episodes drop every other Tuesday.
👉 https://www.thetradecollective.org/

Address

1910 Greenwood Street
Evanston, IL
60201

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