Across Illinois, in places where unions thrive, construction industry professionals and career and technical education (CTE) teachers are working together in promoting work-based learning program to students. Likewise, the outreach program provides union-supported contractors with qualified candidates for future employment. Programs such as the school-to-apprenticeship program and the career fair Southern Illinois Construction Advancement Program (SICAP) promotes aim to spark interest in apprenticeships before students graduate from high school and at the same time, students have the opportunity to earn union wages at union jobsites during the summer of their junior year. However, while pre-apprenticeship programs gain momentum each year, those who run them say there is still progress to be made. The programs are stepping up efforts to attract women and minorities, who remain scarce in the industry.