Crossroads Chamber, the largest Chamber in Lake County and a leading regional advocate for business development and success, hosted its Career Discovery Union Showcase Tour on Friday, February 21, 2025. This immersive experience brought together guidance counselors from eight towns—Crown Point, Merrillville, Boone Grove, East Chicago, Hobart, Lake Station, Valparaiso, and Mishawaka—to explore alternative career pathways for students not pursuing traditional college routes.
As graduation requirements evolve, Crossroads Chamber is taking the lead in connecting educators with industry leaders to better prepare students for high-demand careers in the trades. Throughout the day, counselors toured union halls, manufacturing facilities, and active worksites, learning firsthand how these industries provide competitive wages, job security, and strong career progression.
"I really feel like I will be better able to help my students who have an interest in the trades," said Kimberly Swan, a guidance counselor from Crown Point High School. "Equally important, this experience will help me promote the trades to students who have no knowledge of the trades as a possible career. "The actual tour was better than any other workshop or conference I attended. Visiting the organizations and their work sites was invaluable!"
Seeing the importance of providing assistance to the schools as they begin to implement some of the upcoming changes, the Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters sponsored the first Career Discovery Union Showcase.
"Our goal is to ensure that the youth in Northwest Indiana have access to meaningful opportunities and resources in the skilled trades," said Travis Williams, a representative of the Carpenters Union. "For too long, the trades have been viewed as a last resort when in reality, they should be recognized as a valuable career." "This tour allowed counselors to experience the full spectrum of our industry firsthand—from the apprenticeship classroom to the early and final stages of a project."
The day kicked off with a presentation by Kevin Comerford of the Construction Advancement Foundation, setting the stage for discussions on workforce development. Counselors then embarked on on-site visits to:
- Plumbers Local 210, where they explored apprenticeship programs and cutting-edge training facilities.
- Electrical Professionals Local 697 (IBEW), which showcased state-of-the-art electrical training and career opportunities.
- Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters, where counselors toured the facility and learned about career advancement in carpentry during a working lunch.
- Polycon Industries, a local manufacturer highlighting the importance of industrial careers in Northwest Indiana.
- Two live construction worksites, demonstrating how multiple trades collaborate to shape the region’s infrastructure from beginning to end.
As a regional Chamber, Crossroads is committed to uniting communities across Northwest Indiana to support workforce development, strengthen local economies, and ensure students are aware of the many career opportunities available beyond traditional college paths.
"This tour was an incredible opportunity to bridge the gap between education and industry,” said Deann Patena, CEO and President of Crossroads Chamber. “By bringing counselors directly to these workplaces, we’re equipping them with the knowledge and resources to guide students toward rewarding careers in the trades—right here in Northwest Indiana.”
