FEJA allocates $10 million every four years in 2017, 2021, and 2025 — a total of $30 million — for energy job training programs.
As a part of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA), six business associations and social institutions have been named as recipients of funding for the development and administration of future energy jobs training. Chicago Urban League, Austin People’s Action Center, ASPIRA, HACIA, Chatham Business Association, and the National Latino Education Institute (NLEI) will develop training programs related to renewable energy and energy efficiency as a part of the FEJA’s goal to prepare a workforce ready for the future energy industry.
ComEd, the Clean Jobs Coalition, and the grantee groups came together at Austin People’s Action Center today to mark ComEd’s filing of the FEJA Jobs Training plan with the Illinois Commerce Commission. Passed by the Illinois Legislature in 2016, and effective June 1, 2016, FEJA allocates $10 million every four years in 2017, 2021, and 2025 — a total of $30 million — for solar pipeline training programs, craft apprenticeships, and multi-cultural training for individuals from diverse and/or underserved backgrounds.
“Today’s filing with the ICC marks a critical milestone in bringing this Jobs Training program to life,” said Anne Pramaggiore, ComEd President and CEO. “This training program is one of several of the Future Energy Jobs Act’s elements that help set a course for Illinois’ energy future — the gateway to clean energy and $4B in anticipated energy efficiency savings already have been set in motion and now we launch training for new economy jobs.”
Stakeholders and training organizations were engaged to help develop a collaborative plan. ComEd will continue working with these partners to design programs that will involve a breadth of organizations from various communities, and which ensure accountability and shared expectations.
Illinois Clean Jobs Coalition spokesman Pastor Booker Vance of Faith in Place said, “We stand in support of ComEd’s filing of a Jobs Training Plan with the Illinois Commerce Commission; a key joint initiative of the Future Energy Jobs Act that not only provides training but set forth the career pathway to create job opportunities for returning citizens, Foster Care Alumni, and minorities and women contractors.”
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