Lowe's & Revolution Workshop Contractor Open House

The Lowe's & Revolution Workshop Contractor Open House is an opportunity for Residential Contractors to engage with Revolution Workshop! RW is a non-profit that provides free hands-on training for adults seeking careers in the construction industry. Attendees will have the chance to tour our newly renovated training space & woodshop, hear direct insight from our strongest partners along with RW Alumni, and learn more about the different facets of our program and how to get involved. If you have entry-level hiring needs in the next year, we recommend you come see what this program has to offer.

Agenda

• 8:00 - 8:45 - Arrival Window (Breakfast provided)
• 8:50 - 9:00 - RW Welcome & Overview
• 9:00 - 9:10 - Lowe's Introduction & Partnership

Program Overviews 9:15 - 10:30

• Nuts and Bolts of the Trades Pathways Program

Our trades program is where Revolution Workshop began. Over the last seven years, we have added to the workforce of over 250 companies and unions. Learn about our flagship program and how our alumni have transitioned into the trades on the non-union side with insight from our alumni and employer partners.

• Behind the Build: Our Professional Pathways Program (PPP)

In 2024, Revolution Workshop developed a new type of program to address the growing interest in the office side of the construction industry. By applying our curriculum that prioritizes real world experience, we’ve been able to put our alumni in roles such as​ Assistant Project Manager, Field Inspector, and the very sought after, Project Engineer. Hear from employers as they share their experiences hiring our Professional Pathways Program graduates.

• Revolution Workshop Woodshop & Contracting

Our woodshop, which moved into a new home in 2025, provides continued practical education for our alumni. RW’s woodshop has supported projects across the industry, including: a 26’ live edge wooden table for Sterling Bay, custom millwork for historic Pullman row homes, and rooftop garden beds for the Pedro Albizu Campos Apartments in Humboldt Park. Learn more about the work that takes place in our woodshop, highlighting past projects completed, to include how the space supports workforce development.

• Central States SER/SERCO (American Job Center)

Hire the talent your business needs and get help with the cost of training them. Through the on-the-job training wage reimbursement program, RW employer partners can receive reimbursement of up to $10,000 of a new hire’s wages while they gain the specialized skills needed to succeed on the job. It’s a win for employers looking to grow their team, train new talent, and build a stronger workforce without carrying the full cost of training.

Networking & Career Fair 10:30 - 12:00