Chicago Public Schools students try out the trades in the first of four skilled trades fairs.
The career exploration events will give about 1,600 students direct access and insight into training programs, internships, and potential career opportunities in construction, plumbing, carpentry, and engineering.
Thursday's fair was hosted at the Plumbers Local 130 JAC Training Center, where CPS juniors and seniors got hands-on experience fixing faucets and toilets, working with pipes, and seeing the inside of a sewer.
"This gives them the opportunity to go right from school to an actual career," says Local 130 instructor J.P. Blin. "For students, if they come into our program, they will be making six figures in five years.
CPS junior Christopher said the fair is a good way to explore his career options.
"I like working with my hands a lot," the teenager said. "It's between aerospace engineering or maybe plumbing," he says.
The final three skilled trades fairs, held later in March and April, will focus on carpentry, construction, and engineering.
"[Students] are really ready to go into these careers when they leave us, with a warm handoff to our partners," CPS Chief of College and Career Success Megan Hougard said.