Register free

Free community training in the Chicago area

Learn a trade. On the job site. For free.

Hands-on training and mentorship in carpentry, framing, drywall, project management and more, for anyone who hasn't had a fair shot at the building trades.

Register free See the trades
  • $0 tuition
  • No experience needed
  • 18+ to take part
Drawing of a framed wall with a window opening, labeled with top plates, header, sill, king and jack studs, and studs spaced 16 inches on center. Double top plate Header Rough opening Sill King & jack Stud 16" on center
Framing training covers what every piece of this wall does and how it goes together.

What you can learn

Trades you can start without a license

Pick one or a few. You learn by doing the work, with someone next to you who knows it.

Carpentry

  • Hand and power tools, used safely
  • Measuring, layout and carpentry math
  • Reading construction drawings
  • Trim and finish work
Register for carpentry

Framing

  • Laying out plates and studs
  • Building door and window openings
  • Floor and roof framing basics
  • Keeping it plumb, level and square
Register for framing

Drywall

  • Measuring, cutting and hanging sheets
  • Taping and mudding seams
  • Sanding to a smooth finish
  • Patching and repair
Register for drywall

Project management

  • Reading plans and scopes of work
  • Scheduling and sequencing the trades
  • Estimating, budgets and materials
  • Communicating on site
Register for project management

Painting & finishing

  • Prepping and repairing surfaces
  • Cutting in and rolling clean lines
  • Choosing the right products
  • Protecting the job and cleaning up
Register for painting

Flooring & tile

  • Preparing the subfloor
  • Installing laminate and vinyl plank
  • Laying out and setting tile
  • Grout, trim and transitions
Register for flooring

How it works

Four steps from here to the job site

  1. Register

    Fill out the short form below. It takes about two minutes and costs nothing.

  2. Hear from us

    We reach out the way you asked us to, talk through what you're looking for, and match you with a session.

  3. Show up and build

    We confirm the site, the date and what to bring. Then you learn on real job sites, starting with job-site safety.

  4. Keep getting advice

    Questions don't stop when the session ends. Get advice from people who've done the work as you take your next step.

Who it's for

If nobody ever showed you how, start here

Good trades get passed down through family and friends, and plenty of people never get that introduction. Train Onsite exists to give back and open that door. You don't need a degree, a résumé or a connection.

Register free
  • Never picked up a tool
  • Young adults starting out
  • Out of work or underemployed
  • Changing careers
  • Coming home after incarceration
  • Veterans moving to civilian work
  • Parents returning to work
  • New to the country or to English

Register today

Start here

There's no cost and no commitment. Registering tells us you're interested so we can contact you when a session fits.

  • We only ask for what we need to reach you and place you
  • No Social Security number, ID or background details
  • We don't sell your information

Fields marked required are all we need. The rest helps us place you.

Best way to reach you required
What do you want to learn? required

Choose as many as you like.

Your experience so far
When could you usually attend?

For example: getting to a site, childcare, accessibility needs, or questions for us.

Questions

Straight answers

Is it really free?

Yes. There's no tuition and no fee to register or to attend.

Do I need experience or my own tools?

You don't need any experience. When we confirm your session, we'll tell you exactly what to bring. If getting gear would be a problem, say so in the form and we'll talk it through.

Where and when are the trainings?

Training happens on job sites around Chicago and the Chicagoland area, so locations and dates change with the work. Your ZIP code and availability help us match you with a session you can get to, and we'll confirm the details before you come.

Will I get a certificate or a license?

This program focuses on hands-on skills and mentorship. It doesn't award a trade license or a formal credential.

Will I get a job at the end?

We can't promise a job. You'll leave with real skills, real experience on a site, and a mentor to help you figure out your next step.

Why do I have to be 18?

Training takes place on active construction sites with power tools and real hazards, so it's limited to adults.

What if I have a disability, a record or limited English?

Please still register. Tell us what would help in the notes box, and we'll be upfront about what we can do at each site.

Who do I contact with a question?

Email us at info@trainonsite.org.