PowerForward DuPage

08/17/2026

Save the Date for the 2026 DuPage County Trade Apprenticeship Expo, happening at the IBEW Local 701 Union Hall on Thursday, October 15th from 3:30pm - 6:30pm. Registration will open September 1st - take a look back at last year's Expo and make plans to attend now! 💡🛠🏗

The 2025 DuPage County Trade Apprenticeship Expo was held on Thursday, November 6th from 3:30pm – 6:00pm with close to 800 students, parents, career counselors and educators in attendance. The event featured interactive, hands-on demonstrations by the county’s building trade organizations as wel...

07/31/2026

Earlier this year, we wrapped up working with KidsMatter on their Springboard Series Trades & Construction Program! Thank you to KidsMatter for partnering with us to share information on building a career in the union construction trades.

Special thanks to this year’s trade affiliates who invited us into their Apprenticeship Training Centers, led hands-on activities for the kids, and provided an opportunity for them to ask questions about the industry. We are so proud of the 2026 graduates; we know you all will go forth and prosper! And we can’t wait to welcome the Class of 2027!

07/25/2026

What a great day! We worked with IBEW Local 701 to provide art supplies to area children so that they could make their mark on a wonderful mural commemorating our nation’s 250th anniversary at the DuPage County Fair! 🎡

DuPage County recently invited young residents to help paint a mural celebrating the nation's 250th anniversary during the DuPage County Fair. DuPage County Board Chair Deborah Conroy and our Executive Director Karyn Charvat led the project. "We wanted to add a youth component to our countywide c....

07/17/2026

PowerForward DuPage congratulates member contractor Volt Electric, Inc., who was recently named the 2026 recipient of the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA)'s Safety Ambassadors Medal. The medal recognizes the one NECA contractor, out of thousands nationwide, who has demonstrated the most superior safety performance in the country.

Recipients are selected based on achieving outstanding injury and illness rates, as well as an Experience Modification Rate (EMR) that surpasses benchmarks set by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, OSHA, insurance carriers, and industry safety standards. It is one of the most meaningful recognitions in our industry. Congratulations once again to the entire team at Volt Electric!

07/04/2026

As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, may we continue to uphold its founding principles—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 🇺🇸

05/25/2026

04/22/2026

Enjoying a fantastic in the City of Darien, Illinois, celebrating the installation of several Blink EV chargers at the Brookhaven Market! Congratulations to Mayor Marchese, staff and all involved! 🌎

04/22/2026

While Earth Day raises awareness, for electrical contractors, the commitment never stops. By embracing Net Zero Energy and advancing energy independence, they do more than complete projects, they help create a cleaner, stronger, and more sustainable future every day.

Earth Day is more than a symbolic date for the electrical contracting industry—it highlights an ongoing responsibility and opportunity to shape a more sustainable future. Electrical contractors occupy a unique role: from system design to installation, each choice affects efficiency, resilience, an...

04/21/2026

The 2026 IBEW Local 701 Women’s Committee Expo was held last month with women in attendance from all over Chicagoland. They came out to learn more about a career in the union electrical contracting industry, even drawing coverage from NBC 5 Chicago!

WOMEN EMPOWERING WOMEN: Women's Expo 2026 The 2026 Local 701 Women's Committee Expo was held on Thursday, March 26th, 2026. Women from all over Chicagoland came out to learn more about a career in the union electrical contracting industry, even drawing coverage from NBC 5 Chicago! The event was stan...