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.

06/11/2026

He showed up last to the interview and figured he had no shot. He got in.

That is Quintin Hamilton Jr. After graduating from Evanston in 2020 and spending a few years trying to figure it out, a connection through his girlfriend's mom brought him to The Trade Collective. Now he is a carpenter apprentice with Local 58, framing the new Ryan Field and writing his name on the studs inside the walls.

Anthony Medina took his own road in. He ran a junk removal business before a community connection pointed him toward The Trade Collective. He got the acceptance text with the confetti, joined Local 58, and went to work on the Kellogg Building at Northwestern. He is 20 and already talking about the house he wants to buy.

Different starts, same union, same pride in the work. Both of them want to get back to the high school and show younger kids what this path looks like.

Watch on YouTube or listen on your podcast app. Both links in the comments.



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

06/09/2026

Stefan Johnson asks every young person who comes through Abt Electronics the same question: where are you going to be earning $100,000 in five years?

The answer, he says, is a career in the skilled trades. Plumbers and electricians at Abt can earn $100K–$175K a year.

And Abt will teach you everything you need to know to get there.

All they ask is that you show up and work hard.
Josh Eddy started a month ago. He’s already talking about staying 20 years.

Watch/listen the full Episode 9 on our YouTube or podcast platforms.

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

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

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1910 Greenwood Street
Evanston, IL
60201

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