ComEd Celebrates Rockford's First Graduating Class of New Market Development Initiative
5-week, hands-on training program provides northern Illinois residents with skills to complete in Illinois' fast-growing energy-efficiency sector
ComEd today graduated nearly a dozen participants of its first Skilled Cohort in Rockford; part of its Market Development Initiative (MDI) that provides resources and training to help create a diverse, local workforce that is qualified to take on roles in the growing energy efficiency industry.
Over the course of five weeks, entrepreneurs completed training to become certified in the latest building standards and receive relevant knowledge to help advance their careers in energy efficiency, HVAC, or weatherization.
"To help support the communities we're privileged to serve, ComEd has made increasing training and contracting opportunities a top priority," said Gil Quiniones, ComEd president and CEO. "Through MDI, local entrepreneurs, individuals and businesses gain a competitive edge in the growing field of energy efficiency and can play a key role in advancing the clean energy transition."
MDI, launched in early 2024, integrates energy-efficiency skills training for both novice and experienced workers and entrepreneurs, while also providing opportunities for diverse vendors to obtain certifications and join a vendor database. This database will facilitate access to business opportunities through ComEd and other primary contractors. These resources aim to strengthen the current pipeline of diverse, skilled, and local talent necessary to undertake the increasing number of clean energy projects arising from the state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).
"The graduation of these Rockford-area residents from ComEd's Market Development Initiative represents a significant investment in our community's future," said Joseph Chiarelli, Chairman of the Winnebago County Board. "By providing our local workforce with specialized skills in energy efficiency, this program not only creates economic opportunities for our residents but also supports Winnebago County's commitment to sustainability and clean energy. We're proud to see our community members developing expertise that will benefit both their careers and our region's environmental goals."
Since its inception over one year ago, ComEd's MDI program has successfully graduated a total of 80 participants across five distinct cohorts. Education and certification are offered to individuals from various experience levels and backgrounds, focusing on areas that support the energy efficiency industry, including:
- air sealing;
- mold identification and remediation;
- proper ventilation; and
- understanding how homes function as systems to improve energy efficiency.
All training is provided at no cost to participants. Depending on the course, participants may be eligible for a weekly stipend, daily meals, and assistance with transportation.
Additionally, ComEd's MDI enlists the support of over a dozen community-based organizations who serve as local navigators to recruit and connect job seekers and firms to training opportunities provided through the initiative.
The skills and tools provided by MDI assist families and businesses throughout northern Illinois in leveraging the benefits of ComEd's award-winning Energy Efficiency Program, which includes services, rebates, and discounts to help customers manage energy usage and reduce bills. Since its start in 2008, the program has supported hundreds of thousands of families and businesses in saving a total of over $11 billion on energy bills and over 99 million megawatt-hours of electricity. Additionally, the program has contributed to reducing over 74 billion pounds of carbon emissions, equivalent to planting more than 33 million acres of trees.
For an in-depth look into MDI and how individuals, businesses and entrepreneurs can apply and contribute to expanding the energy landscape, visit ComEd.com/MDI.
ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:EXC), a Fortune 250 energy company serving more than 10.5 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
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