Skokie Logistics & Manufacturing Job Fair at Oakton College on October 8

Published: September 15, 2026 | By LocalJobPage Team

SKOKIE, IL — If you drive a truck, run a forklift, set up a CNC machine or keep a warehouse moving, circle Thursday, October 8. Local transportation, distribution, logistics and manufacturing employers are coming to Oakton College's Skokie campus for a free four-hour job fair, and the organizers say it's open to professionals at every level.

The Skokie TDL & Manufacturing Job Fair runs 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM at 7701 Lincoln Ave., with hiring companies on one side of the room and training help on the other.

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📍 At a Glance

Event	TDL & Manufacturing Job Fair
Date	Thursday, October 8, 2026
Time	10:00 AM – 2:00 PM Central
Location	Oakton College, Skokie campus (National Able Network Skokie office), 7701 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, IL 60077
Cost	Free
Format	In person
Registration	Free RSVP through the organizer
Eligibility	Job seekers at all experience levels

Who's Behind the Skokie Job Fair

The fair is hosted by National Able Network, the nonprofit workforce organization that runs a branch office on the Oakton campus. It's a joint effort with the Transportation, Distribution and Logistics sector center that works under the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, and with Oakton College itself. That lineup matters: this isn't a pay-to-play expo, it's the public workforce system bringing employers who say they're hiring locally.

The organizers have not published a list of participating companies. Plan to walk the room and find out who's there rather than showing up for one specific employer.

💼 The Jobs: From the Dock to the Shop Floor

The event listing sorts the openings into four buckets, which gives you a fair read on who should make the trip up the Edens:

Operations: truck drivers, warehouse workers and forklift operators.
Entry-level production: assemblers and machine operators, the most realistic door in for someone new to the field.
Skilled trades: CNC machinists, maintenance technicians and welders.
Management and analysis: logistics managers and supply chain leaders.

No wages or headcounts have been announced for this event. Pay in these trades varies widely by shift, certification and employer, so ask each recruiter directly and compare offers before you commit.

✅ Training Help Is in the Room, Too

Resource tables from Oakton and WIOA-funded programs will be on site. WIOA is the federal workforce program that can help eligible job seekers pay for training, so this is a good place to ask about a forklift certification, a CDL program or a welding or CNC course if you're not quite ready for the job you want. Eligibility for that funding is decided case by case, so bring questions rather than assumptions.

📋 How to Show Up Ready

RSVP ahead of time through the free registration page linked above.
Bring several printed copies of your resume, with licenses and certifications listed near the top.
If you hold a CDL, forklift card or welding certification, bring proof.
Dress for a shop-floor interview: clean, neat and practical.
Arrive early. Recruiters are sharpest in the first couple of hours.

Questions before you go? The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership lists (708) 580-8686 as its contact line.

🔎 Start Your Logistics and Manufacturing Job Search

Don't wait until October 8 to apply. Many of the companies that show up at a sector fair already have openings posted, and a recruiter who has seen your application is a recruiter who remembers your name.

Start here:

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Skokie TDL and Manufacturing Job Fair?

Thursday, October 8, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM Central, at Oakton College's Skokie campus, 7701 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, IL 60077.

Does it cost anything to attend?

No. Registration through the organizer's event page is free.

Which employers will be there?

The organizers describe them as transportation, distribution, logistics and manufacturing companies hiring locally, but they have not released a list of names.

Do I need experience?

No. The fair is billed as open to all levels, and entry-level production roles such as assemblers and machine operators are among the job types listed.

Can I get help paying for training there?

Oakton and WIOA resource providers will be on hand to talk about training and education. Whether you qualify for funding depends on your situation, so ask at their tables.

Is there a bigger job fair in Chicago before this one?

Yes. The City's Fall Citywide Career Fair runs Wednesday, September 30, at Kennedy-King College. Our fall Chicago job fairs guide has the details.

Get Noticed Before October 8

Recruiters search for candidates long before they set up a table. Create your free LocalJobPage profile so your experience is in front of Chicago-area employers now, and browse more openings on our Career Center.

Employers: hiring drivers, warehouse staff or skilled trades in Cook County? Post your openings on LocalJobPage.