ComEd, HIRE360 Celebrate New Graduating Class of EV Pre-Apprenticeship Program
ComEd and HIRE360 celebrated the graduation of 16 local residents from the Take Charge: EV Pre-Apprenticeship program in Chicago. Launched last year, this program prepares residents for entry-level trades roles in the growing EV industry in Illinois. The eight-week training included technical and soft skills, industry certifications, and networking opportunities with ComEd and CTA. This initiative aligns with Illinois' goal of adding one million EVs by 2030 and creating 150,000 new clean energy jobs by 2050. The program prioritizes diverse candidates, with this year's class including 15 individuals of color and four women.
- Graduation of 16 local residents from the EV Pre-Apprenticeship program.
- Partnership with HIRE360 and IBEW-134 to prepare candidates for trades roles.
- Program aligns with Illinois' goal to add one million EVs by 2030.
- Estimates of 150,000 new clean energy jobs in Illinois by 2050.
- Diverse class: 15 individuals of color and four women.
- Participants received industry certifications like OSHA-10 and CPR.
- Networking opportunities with ComEd fleet managers and CTA.
- Program helps build a diverse talent pipeline for the clean energy sector.
- No direct mention of job placements for the graduates.
- Unclear long-term impact of the program on participants' careers.
- Potential oversupply of trainees if job creation targets are not met.
Take Charge: EV Pre-Apprenticeship Program graduates 16 local residents ready for trades careers supporting Illinois’ fast-growing EV sector
Through the Take Charge program, ComEd aims to provide skills training needed to meet the evolving demands facing the power grid and our communities today. Steady growth in EV adoption, fueled by a state goal aimed at adding one million EVs to the roads by 2030, and steady growth in business expansion projects tied to the EV industry, creates new career opportunities for the communities of
“We know the talent needed to support the clean energy transition resides here in our vibrant Chicagoland communities,” said Louie Binswanger, Senior Vice President of Government Regulatory and External Affairs for ComEd. “Through our partnership with HIRE360, IBEW-134 and workforce agencies across the region, ComEd is working to create skill building opportunities that allow our residents to benefit from new economic opportunities created by the growth of EVs and other clean energy industries, while ensuring we have the talent needed to maintain the most reliable grid in the
This year’s Take Charge program featured a diverse class of trainees from across the Chicagoland area, with 15 individuals of color and four women. As part of a commitment to enhancing diverse representation in the trades, HIRE360 prioritized recruitment of diverse candidates, including women and people of color, from across the region, especially from communities in the south and west sides.
"We are incredibly proud to announce the graduation of the second cohort from the Take Charge program who were able to learn vital technical and soft skills necessary to thrive in the growing clean energy sector,” said Jay Rowell, Executive Director of HIRE360. “The success of our graduates is a testament to the robust partnership between HIRE360 and ComEd. Together, we are creating sustainable career pathways, particularly for underrepresented groups including women, and Black and Brown individuals, to build a diverse talent pipeline that will drive the clean energy transformation in
The program introduces participants to the EV and electrical industries, helping them develop knowledge and skills for careers in these fields. The eight-week curriculum included off-site learning and networking opportunities with ComEd fleet managers and the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), where participants received a behind-the-scenes look into CTA’s electric buses and charging facilities, and toured the IBEW Local 134 Center in Bronzeville.
During the program, candidates were equipped with industry certifications like OSHA-10 and CPR, and prepared for the CAST (Construction and Skilled Trades) and IBEW tests – industry-required exams. New to the program this year, participants earned Flagger, Fall Protection, Rigging Hazard Awareness, and Scaffolding Awareness certifications – further preparing them for apprenticeship programs.
“The Take Charge program gave me hope for the future,” said Ivan Arizmendi, a Take Charge graduate and Pilsen resident. “I’m now aware of the vast opportunities coming to the energy sector and by participating in the program, I prepared myself to land a well-paying job in the trades and help support my parents who have sacrificed so much for me and my siblings.”
The Take Charge: EV Pre-Apprenticeship program is just one example of the wide range of job training and pre-apprenticeship-style programs offered by ComEd in partnership with community-based organizations. Last year, ComEd’s job training and STEM education programs collectively reached 3,500 people across the region. For more on ComEd career readiness programs, please visit www.comed.com/cleanenergyjobs.
About ComEd
ComEd is a unit of
About HIRE360
Launched in December of 2019, HIRE360 is an Industry Led, Community Focused nonprofit ensuring that our city’s future is inspired by all the communities that call
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ComEd Media Relations
312-394-3500
Brianna Moreland
Rise Strategy Group
C: (773) 494-4569
Source: ComEd
FAQ
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