By: Ashmar Mandou

ComEd recently celebrated the hard work of 78 individuals who graduated from two of ComEd’s arduous training programs. In a pool of community and corporate partners, ComEd on Wednesday held a graduation ceremony for the graduates of the CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy and Craft Academy.

“ComEd will need skilled workers to help us to continue building a grid of the future that meets our customers’ evolving energy needs,” said Gil Quiniones, CEO of ComEd. “Through our strong coalition of partners, we’re proud to offer workforce development programs that will help people within our region’s diverse communities gain roles in maintaining and modernizing northern Illinois’ power infrastructure.”

These programs are designed to prepare local residents for entry-level trades roles to create a skilled and diverse pipeline of talent to support the clean energy transition in Illinois. ComEd’s collaboration with local workforce and community agencies to offer career and skills training programs is an essential component of building a diverse and skilled talent pipeline needed for the future. According to a recent study finds that as many as 150,000 jobs are expected to be created in Illinois by 2050 to support the state’s clean energy transition.

“Central States SER, Jobs for Progress Inc. is proud to work with ComEd in removing barriers and providing the tools and support needed for individuals to enter roles in the growing energy field,” said Hugo Avila, co-director of Central States SER/SERCO, Inc.. “The opportunity for community members to build their skills for careers that offer economic mobility is life-changing, and we couldn’t be happier to be playing a part in supporting CONSTRUCT.”

Both CONSTRUCT and Craft Academy programs are designed to increase the pool of qualified female and minority candidates for energy and construction jobs in Illinois by strengthening job readiness and life skills in addition to preparing for industry-required testing.

“We are proud to work together with ComEd in expanding career opportunities for more community members while building a stronger, more diverse workforce for the construction field,” said Stephanie Hickman, President and CEO of Trice Construction Company. “Through our partnership with ComEd and CONSTRUCT, we have had the privilege of welcoming talented individuals into our team, each bringing their unique skills, perspectives, and experiences to the table that will have a lasting impact on our communities.” To learn more on how to enroll in ComEd job training programs, please visit www.ComEd.com/CleanEnergyJobs, or contact WorkforceDevelopment@ComEd.com.

Photo Credit: ComEd an Exelon Company