Rockford, Illinois – Today, The Workforce Connection, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois (Goodwill), Think Big! Corporation, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), Illinois Environmental Council, and local partners hosted an exhibition of Rockford’s active workforce and business development ecosystem. The ecosystem is one of the “workforce hubs” made possible by the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) – state legislation that provides funding to train Illinoisans for clean energy jobs and encourage business expansion for small business owners. The Rockford hub has successfully graduated a total 129 students and 64% of program graduates have been placed into jobs.
“The transition to a clean energy economy is already underway, and Illinois is leading the charge—thanks to our skilled workforce. The Rockford CEJA Workforce Development Hub is doing critical work in training Illinoisans to build out the clean energy projects across Illinois, propelling us toward a greener future,” U.S. Senator Dick Durbin said.
The Rockford region is home to four CEJA grants:
- Climate Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program: Pre-apprenticeship training in trades that will experience clean energy growth. Led by Hire360 in partnership with Goodwill and Awaken Foundation.
- Energy Transition Navigator: Conducts outreach and recruitment for all other CEJA programs. Led by Goodwill in partnership with Region 1 Planning Council (R1), Awaken Foundation, Zion West Enterprise, and Rock Valley College.
- Workforce Network Hub: Training, certification, employment assistance, and wrap-around support services for entry-level jobs in clean energy industries. Led by The Workforce Connection in partnership with Goodwill, R1, Awaken Foundation, Zion West, and Rock Valley College.
- Contractor Incubator: Training, mentoring, industry connections, and support to contractors wanting to expand into the clean energy sector. Led by The Workforce Connection in partnership with Think Big! Corp., the Small Business Development Center at Rock Valley College, and R1.
“The Rockford-area CEJA workforce hub exemplifies the mission of CEJA by equipping local community members with good-paying jobs, investing in the local community and industry, and supporting Illinois’ transition to renewable energy,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “Illinois’ clean energy future will require transformation, and the CEJA workforce hubs are training a skilled workforce capable of building that future.”
Since its launch in 2024, the hub has offered training and certification in solar panel installation, energy auditing, electric vehicle (EV) maintenance, CNC machine operation, and pre-apprenticeship.
“The Rockford regional CEJA ecosystem is a unique collaboration between partners that represent all of the components necessary for anyone to be successful entering into the clean energy space,” said Gina Caronna, President of The Workforce Connection. “From building a business plan and uncovering capital to providing individuals with the skills to be successful in the workforce, we are structured to support the needs of those who are ready to take the next step.”
The workforce development effort doesn’t just prepare individuals for good careers; it also provides employers with a pipeline of employees capable of quickly contributing to their operations. The Workforce Connection builds relationships with existing local businesses like Thing Big! Corporation, Awaken Foundation L3c, Region 1 Planning Council, Zion West Enterprise, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, and Rock Valley College.
“Overall, organizations that have accepted our participants into their apprenticeship programs or employment say that the program has equipped those individuals with the necessary pre-apprenticeship readiness skills like construction basics, safety practices, and clean energy infrastructure,’ said Trina Taylor, CEJA Program Director at Hire360. “The Climate Works program is not only preparing participants to enter the workforce, but positioning them to thrive and advance in long-term careers.”
Integral to CEJA is the commitment to ensuring our clean energy future benefits underserved Illinoisans. Since the Rockford hub’s launch, 80 percent of students were formerly incarcerated or had other criminal legal involvement, and 78 percent of students have been from a Restore. Reinvest. Renew. (R3) or Environmental Justice community. During the event, attendees heard from CEJA administrators, students, and faculty about what the CEJA program has meant to them and the Rockford community.
Julian Holt was introduced to solar panel installation through Zion West recruitment and later became Chief Operating Officer for Zenith Eco Engineering Solar Division, a sustainable energy and building systems company. For this venture, he joined the CEJA Contractor Incubator program to get support for planning, financing, and industry connections, and is now continuing to build his business. Meanwhile, he is employed as Lead Instructor for solar panel installation trainees at Zion West, bringing the program full circle.
“Once I started my solar training, I was intrigued by not only the science of photovoltaics but also the emerging opportunities the state is providing in the clean energy space,” said Julian Holt. “I knew that I didn’t want to just install solar, but own my own building mechanicals company to incorporate solar. That way, I could hire my fellow program graduates, who I know have the skill but just need an employment opportunity.”
Workforce development and the state’s clean energy transition go hand in hand; Illinois is on track to replace uneconomic fossil fuel plants with clean energy resources like wind, solar, and battery storage by 2050 while also building a booming green economy. Illinois leads the Midwest in the generation, grid and storage, energy efficiency, and clean energy sectors, and this job growth will only continue to grow thanks to CEJA and its active workforce development programs found in the Rockford region.
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