Energy Efficiency Program Looks To Diversify Workforce
Energy Efficiency Program Looks To Diversify Workforce
By Tia Carol Jones
A collaboration between Nicor Gas and ComEd is giving individuals, local businesses and entrepreneurs an opportunity to obtain skills and certifications necessary for them to implement energy efficiency projects in their communities. The Market Development Initiative was started three years ago with roll out of the program in 2024.
The program has two main objectives: to increase contracting opportunities for diverse enterprises and community-based organizations and to improve the diversity and inclusiveness of ComEd’s energy efficiency department supplier network and its supplier’s workforce.
Through the program, ComEd is assisting participants in developing the necessary capabilities to participate in the delivery of energy efficiency. The program offers different types of training, which includes a newcomer cohort, which is a full-time, eight-week training that offers people who are new to energy efficiency the opportunity to earn the certifications they would need to do implementation of energy efficiency programs. Those participants are offered a wage and provided meals, stipends for childcare and funds for transportation.
“We have tried to eliminate all obstacles that would get in the way of a newcomer coming to training and being able to participate in the training,” said Susan Buck, a ComEd Energy Efficiency Program manager who oversees ComEd’s MDI.
The field cohort is for those who are not new to energy efficiency. Those participants receive additional training so they can do more within the energy efficiency space. It is a five-week training course where those participants are in class part time and work the other half of the time.
ComEd recently hosted a graduation for the program where 17 newcomers completed the program.
Quentin Ward wanted to participate in the Market Development Initiative program because he enjoys working in the energy efficiency field and putting smiles on people’s faces when his work is done. He knew it would be an excellent way to jumpstart his career in the field.
Ward completed the Nicor Gas Workforce, Training, and Employment program for newcomers in 2023. In 2024, he completed his training in the ComEd Market Development Initiative program in 2024. Through both programs, he has earned his Building Analyst-Technician certification and his Business Analyst-Professional training.
The advance training course Ward participated in is for those who participated in the training cohorts for newcomer or skilled so that they could receive additional certification. It enabled him to further his career and get a higher paying role. He said once he got into the field, he picked up quickly and wanted to go as far as he could in the energy efficiency field. He is a lead field technician, and he does weatherization and installation. Prior to that, he was an assessor.
“I would tell other people to give it a chance and it might work out for you. The work is not easy, but it’s not incredibly hard.
Apply what you learned through the courses, and it’ll take you far,” Ward said.
ComEd’s Market Development Initiative also has a la carte offerings, including training on how to be more proficient in selling energy efficiency in the space they are in.
To learn more about the programs, visit ComEd.com/MDI and nicorgas.com
Latest Stories
- Is Your 2025 New Year’s Resolution to Cut Your Grocery Shopping Bill?
- Is 2025 The Year to Start or Scale Your Business?
- A SOUTH SIDE LEGACY BUSINESS CONTINUES
- Energy Efficiency Program Looks To Diversify Workforce
- The Contributions Of African Americans And Black People Told Through Flash Cards
Latest Podcast
Laticia Holbert of ComEd
