Shawn Allen of Rockford, who is pursuing a career as an electrician or in other trades, talks Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, with Desheanda Ingram, the director of operations for Awaken, at a clean energy job fair at UW Health Sports Factory in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A new state-funded program designed to help people who have faced barriers to employment find new careers in the clean energy industry is making its debut in the city.

Nonprofit and government leaders along with their business partners on Monday celebrated the start of the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program in Rockford.

The program stems from legislation Gov. JB Pritzker signed in September 2021 called the Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which is designed to move Illinois toward 100% clean energy by 2050.

As part of the program, 13 workforce training hubs were created across the state to offer training, certification preparation and skill development for entry-level jobs in clean energy-related industries such as solar, wind, energy efficiency and electric vehicle maintenance.

In Rockford, that hub is run at The Workforce Connection, 303 N. Main St, where services and programming are provided for residents in Boone, Winnebago and Stephenson counties.

People can explore careers and learn about potential support services at The Workforce Connection and then get connected to places like Zion West Enterprise for solar training or Awaken Foundation for weatherization or Rock Valley College for electric vehicle maintenance or other places with on-the-job training initiatives.

“The Hub is a single point of entry but it can lead to many different directions,” said Courtney Geiger, director of mission services for Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, a partner in the program.

The jobs program is meant to benefit people who have faced obstacles to employment. That can include residents of neighborhoods that have traditionally had little public investment, people returning from incarceration and people who have been part of the foster care system.

“It’s really trying to bring these jobs to people who may not have had opportunities in the past and make sure they are at the forefront of these opportunities,” Geiger said. “Clean energy jobs are for everybody. You don’t have to go to college or get a degree to work in clean energy. This is your way to get in and learn the skills you need and take advantage of these opportunities.”

Attendees peruse a booth at a clean energy job fair on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, at UW Health Sports Factory in Rockford. (Photo by Kevin Haas/Rock River Current)

The program was launched Monday at a news conference at UW Health Sports Factory, where a career fair was also held to allow potential candidates to explore new career fields.

“This program will play a vital role in positioning our community for growth in one of the most impactful and expanding fields of our time,” Mayor Tom McNamara said at the event.

Anyone interested in the programs can call The Workforce Connection, 815-395-6676, or one of its partners to inquire about eligibility and opportunities.

“You’re going to start seeing us everywhere recruiting now and sharing information for people so they know how to get connected to these programs” Geiger said.

The program is funded by three state grants: Nearly $3.3 million funds the training and other skills development programs in the hub. A $478,000 grant pays for the recruitment and outreach navigator work and nearly $1.5 million funds the CEJA Incubator program, which provides eligible contractors with low-cost capital and other support.

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas