Building the Clean Energy Workforce in Illinois
We are partnering with the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and other Illinois public universities to develop and launch workforce training programs for clean energy jobs. These workforce programs are part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, signed into law by Governor Pritzker on September 15, 2021.
The goal is to create thousands of new jobs and build healthier, more equitable communities across Illinois.
Connect with us!
We seek input from clean energy employers, training providers, job seekers, community organizations, industry leaders and more! Your voice is important in helping us develop the clean jobs curriculum and launch successful workforce programs. There are lots of ways to engage.
Fill out our Interest Form to receive updates and learn about engagement opportunities.
Attend a webinar or focus group to provide input (dates coming soon!)
Contact us directly with comments and questions:
1-800-214-7954
sedac-info@illinois.edu
Submit a response to the Request for Information or apply to a Notice of Funding Opportunity (coming soon).
More about the CEJA Workforce Programs
If you want to get trained for clean energy careers: 13 workforce hubs across the state, run by community-based organizations, will provide clean jobs training and a career pipeline for equity-eligible individuals. ($21 million/yr). Will utilize a comprehensive and standardized clean energy curriculum, developed by DCEO. Community organizations will run the workforce hubs, and may subcontract with other organizations (such as labor organizations or educational institutions) to deliver program services and training. Hubs are in the following locations:
- Chicago, South Side
- Chicago, Southwest Side
- Waukegan
- Rockford
- Aurora
- Joliet
- Peoria
- Champaign
- Danville
- Decatur
- Carbondale
- East St. Louis
- Alton
If you want to enter union training programs: The Preapprenticeship Program trains equity eligible individuals for careers in clean energy sector construction and building trades ($10 million/yr). Delivered at 3 hubs in Northern, Central, and Southern IL by community-based organizations, who can subcontract out to other organizations or educational institutions to deliver program services and training.
For soon-to-be-released people who are incarcerated: Provides clean jobs training in solar and energy efficiency sectors ($6 million/yr). Training will be delivered at Illinois Department of Corrections facilities, and will be administered by Illinois DCEO, in coordination with the Illinois Department of Corrections. Will utilize a comprehensive and standardized clean energy curriculum, adapted to the needs of correctional settings. Community-based organizations or educational institutions may apply to be the program administrators for each program delivery area to administer and coordinate the program. They may subcontract out for portions of program elements.
The Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program provides resources for publicity, placement and retention to break down barriers to participation in training programs ($21 million/yr). Energy Transition Navigators will provide education, outreach, and recruitment for participation in workforce development programs ($6 million/yr). DCEO will contract with community-based providers to serve as Energy Transition Navigators.
If you want to subcontract on clean energy projects: 13 contractor incubators across the state will provide training, mentorship, and recruitment opportunities for small clean energy businesses and contractors (up to $21 million/yr). Community-based organizations (including an accredited public college or university) will deliver the Clean Energy Incubator Program and can subcontract out to other organizations or educational institutions to deliver program services and training. Hubs will be in the following locations:
- Chicago, South Side
- Chicago, Southwest Side
- Waukegan
- Rockford
- Aurora
- Joliet
- Peoria
- Champaign
- Danville
- Decatur
- Carbondale
- East St. Louis
- Alton
Who will Benefit?
Underinvested communities--often communities of color--are the first to suffer negative consequences of pollution but the last to reap the health and economic benefits of a clean energy future. As we move forward on the path to a 100% carbon-free future, it's critical that these same communities reap the benefits of both cleaner and and good-paying jobs.
CEJA invests over $80 million every year into developing a thriving clean energy workforce, with Black and Brown communities at the forefront. By prioritizing Illinoisans historically shut out of the clean energy economy, we can cultivate an equitable workforce that brings everyone along.
The programs will target residents of Environmental Justice communities or Restore, Reinvest, Renew (R3) Areas.
What is the Timeline for Engagement and Program Launch?
Questions and Answers
If you want to enter union training programs: The Preapprenticeship Program trains equity eligible individuals for careers in clean energy sector construction and building trades ($10 million/yr). Delivered at 3 hubs in Northern, Central, and Southern IL by community-based organizations, who can subcontract out to other organizations or educational institutions to deliver program services and training.
For soon-to-be-released people who are incarcerated: Provides clean jobs training in solar and energy efficiency sectors ($6 million/yr). Training will be delivered at Illinois Department of Corrections facilities, and will be administered by Illinois DCEO, in coordination with the Illinois Department of Corrections. Will utilize a comprehensive and standardized clean energy curriculum, adapted to the needs of correctional settings. Community-based organizations or educational institutions may apply to be the program administrators for each program delivery area to administer and coordinate the program. They may subcontract out for portions of program elements.
The Energy Transition Barrier Reduction Program provides resources for publicity, placement and retention to break down barriers to participation in training programs ($21 million/yr). Energy Transition Navigators will provide education, outreach, and recruitment for participation in workforce development programs ($6 million/yr). DCEO will contract with community-based providers to serve as Energy Transition Navigators.
If you want to subcontract on clean energy projects: 13 contractor incubators across the state will provide training, mentorship, and recruitment opportunities for small clean energy businesses and contractors (up to $21 million/yr). Community-based organizations (including an accredited public college or university) will deliver the Clean Energy Incubator Program and can subcontract out to other organizations or educational institutions to deliver program services and training.
About us
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is administering the CEJA workforce programs and will be selecting organizations to manage the programs. DCEO is partnering with a team of Illinois public universities to help launch the program. Partners include the Smart Energy Design Assistance Center (SEDAC) and the Illinois Climate Research and Training Center (ICRT), both at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies; Governor's State University; Western Illinois University; Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville; Chicago State University; and the Illinois Innovation Network.
In collaboration with DCEO, our team will a) engage stakeholders to inform the clean energy curriculum and program development; b) conduct an inventory existing clean energy training programs; c) develop a clean jobs curriculum framework; and d) assist DCEO with program launch and Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) development. Click on the logos below to learn more about us.
