Hispanic American Construction Industry Association (HACIA)

?? Day 5 of National Apprenticeship Week is all about celebrating Federal Apprenticeship Programs and the incredible Veterans in Apprenticeship who bring their unique skills and dedication to the trades! ?????? We're proud to highlight Emilio Garza, a U.S. Navy veteran and former E-4 Gunner's Mate, who graduated from our IL Works General Construction pre-apprenticeship program in 2024. ???? Emilio is now thriving as a first-year apprentice in the Mid-American Carpenters Union, showcasing the power of apprenticeships to transform lives and build careers! We salute Emilio and all veterans who continue to serve their communities through skilled trades. ?? #NationalApprenticeshipWeek #VeteransInApprenticeship #HACIAWorks #ILWorks #BuildingCareers #SkilledTrades

??Day 4 of National Apprenticeship Week is dedicated to celebrating Women in Apprenticeships, a powerful reminder of the importance of representation and inclusion in the workforce. ?? At HACIA, we are committed to fostering opportunities for women to excel in construction and related trades. By empowering women through pre-apprenticeships, we help build a stronger, more diverse industry and pave the way for the next generation of apprentices and leaders. Together, we’re shaping a future where everyone has a seat at the table. #NAW2024 #WomenInConstruction #BuildingEquity

That's a wrap for our final Construction Inspection Technician class of the year! A huge thank you to KAD Engineering PLLC for their invaluable partnership and dedication in educating our students. Through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on training, they are now well-prepared for inspector roles in various projects, including those with IDOT, the Tollway, county highways, and village roadways. We eagerly anticipate continuing this program together!

?? Day 3 of National Apprentice Week: Expanding Registered Apprenticeship to Underserved Populations?? At HACIA, we’re dedicated to guiding individuals from underserved communities toward meaningful opportunities in the construction industry. Through our programs and partnerships, we help participants take the next step toward registered apprenticeships, equipping them with the skills, resources, and support needed to succeed. ??? Our mission is to transform the industry by fostering diversity, equity, and generational wealth. Together, we’re paving the way for a more inclusive future where every individual has a chance to thrive. ??? #NAW2024 #HACIAworks #BuildingEquity

?? Meet Gabriella Bonilla, HACIA’s New Membership and Events Coordinator! ?? We’re thrilled to welcome Gabriella Bonilla to the HACIA team! In her role, Gabriella supports our Events and Membership Managers to deliver impactful events and meetings that foster community engagement and professional growth for HACIA members. With a background in event coordination across the construction and government sectors, Gabriella brings a wealth of experience in managing large-scale events and building connections among diverse stakeholders. Her passion for creating spaces where people can share ideas and drive change aligns perfectly with HACIA’s mission. When she’s not planning events, Gabriella enjoys running, ballet, tennis, cooking, and exploring Chicago’s incredible food scene. She’s also an avid reader, always ready with a book in hand for moments of downtime. Join us in giving Gabriella a warm welcome as she works to empower and connect our construction community! ?? #HACIAWorks

?? Exciting news! We're thrilled to welcome Nicole Lee, 11th Ward Alderwoman, to our HACIA Holiday Party 2024! Join us as we gather with exceptional leaders and visionaries who are shaping our communities. This is your chance to meet and network with influential individuals like Nicole and many more we’ll be highlighting soon. ?? Date: Thursday, December 5th, 2024 ?? Location: East Bank Club, 500 N Kingsburry St ??? https://lnkd.in/gdsvgzTW #HACIAHolidayParty #NetworkingOpportunity #HACIAConnections #HACIAworks

?? National Apprenticeship Week: Day 2 ?? Today, we’re highlighting Registered Apprenticeships in New and Emerging Industries, including Green Construction—a field HACIA is proud to champion. Through programs like Intro to Solar, Solar Panel Installation, EV Charging Installation, and Intro to Green, we’re preparing the workforce of tomorrow to thrive in renewable energy and sustainable construction. These emerging industries offer incredible opportunities for growth, success, and building generational wealth. At HACIA, we’re committed to equipping underrepresented individuals with the skills, training, and resources they need to seize these opportunities and transform their futures. #NAW2024 #GreenConstruction #Apprenticeships #RenewableEnergy #HACIAworks

?? It's National Apprenticeship Week! ?? Today, we kick off by celebrating Youth and Young Adult Apprenticeships—a mission close to HACIA's heart. At HACIA, we’re paving the way for the next generation of builders, innovators, and leaders in the construction industry: ?? Over 200 program diplomas awarded at our recent graduation ?? ?? Program applicants start as young as 18 years old and are finding their career pathways in construction ?? $615,000 in scholarships provided to students pursuing construction-related fields ?? Dedicated efforts to promote diversity in the workforce and empower underrepresented groups Whether through tabling at high school job fairs or connecting youth to training opportunities, we believe in the construction industry's value to up-and-coming professionals. The future of construction is bright, inclusive, and diverse, and it starts with our youth. ?? Let’s inspire the workforce of tomorrow—one apprenticeship at a time. #NAW2024 #YouthApprenticeships #HACIAworks #HACIA #FutureOfConstruction #DiversityInConstruction

??? Get ready to celebrate the season with us at HACIA's Holiday Party 2024! ??? We're thrilled to announce that Walter Burnett Jr., 27th Ward Alderman, will be joining us on Thursday, December 5th! This is your chance to network and connect with remarkable individuals like him and many more. Stay tuned as we spotlight more confirmed guests in the coming days. Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity to mix and mingle with industry leaders and community trailblazers. ?? Date: Thursday, December 5th, 2024 ?? Location: East Bank Club, 500 N Kingsburry St ??? https://lnkd.in/gdsvgzTW #HACIAHolidayParty #NetworkingOpportunity #HACIAConnections #HACIAworks

?? THAT'S A WRAP! Thank you to everyone who joined us at yesterday’s final HACIA membership meeting of the year! We wrapped up 2024 with an inspiring lineup of speakers and invaluable insights into key projects and industry opportunities. Huge thanks to Sharla Roberts, JuanPablo Prieto, Miguel d'Escoto, Gerri Harris, and Suzanne Arkle for sharing their expertise on the City of Chicago Construction Contracting Opportunities, CTA Red Line Extension, Building Small Business Program, and Bally’s Casino! ?? Shoutout to our amazing sponsors at Toro Construction Corp., Apache, and WalshVinci Transit Community Partners for making it all possible! Although this is our last membership meeting of the year, we will still be back at East Bank Club for our Holiday Party on December 5th. Tickets are still available so get yours today! Click the link to view photos from the event! https://lnkd.in/g9bczPJg #HACIAWorks #MembershipMeeting #SeeYouNextYear