ComEd Provides Sustainable Wages Through Its Workforce Development Initiative
ComEd Provides Sustainable Wages Through Its Workforce Development Initiative
By Tia Carol Jones
ComEd is offering workforce development training programs that those who are interested in the clean energy industry can participate in.
Laticia Holbert is the Senior Manager of Workforce Development at ComEd. Holbert is passionate about workforce development, the community and helping people create the best life possible, which includes family sustaining wages. Her passion aligns with the work ComEd is doing.
“A big part of my job is to make sure that I’m connecting the community with jobs, within ComEd or with companies we work with, our contractors, vendors and suppliers,” she said.
ComEd’s workforce development programs have been recognized and Holbert has been recognized for her work as the 2023 Workforce Development Champion. Holbert said she is excited to lead the workforce development training programs and acknowledged her workforce development team members Schereina Horton and Kristie Conklin.
The CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy began on Jan. 27th. There are eight workforce partners that work alongside ComEd, and corporate partners who work with them on the curriculum, as well as hiring from the program. There are more than 80 participants in the program. The hope is to have all the program’s participants graduate in April. The goal of the 11-week program is to prepare a diverse talent pool for careers in construction and utility fields. Participants receive basic electrical knowledge and certifications for jobs in the field.
While the Market Development Initiative program is full, its aim is to teach newcomers basic HVAC, insulation and energy efficiency skills, while they are connected to potential employers. The participants in the skilled cohort gain advanced training, business support and certifications. It begins on Jan. 29th.
Craft Academy begins in March. The program trains participants in the energy-level craft roles in construction and utility. It focuses on the three parts people need to be hired at ComEd, physical aptitude, math and star interviews.
Tools of the Trade is a pipeline program for those 17 years old to 19 years old. Students in the program learn how to safely work with tools and have access to career training in the trades. It starts in June.
Holbert said the ultimate goal in offering these programs is to have people in its service territory working. She added, by 2050, there will be 100,000 new clean energy jobs coming to the region and clean energy is growing at a pace. ComEd wants to be prepared for the addition of those new clean energy jobs by creating a pipeline of people who can fill those roles.
Holbert said ComEd has made the commitment to create its workforce development training programs because it cares about the community it serves and wants to make sure people are able to have family sustaining jobs. Holbert said she has received feedback from past participants that the programs have changed their lives and the lives of their families.
One participant of the program completed the COSTRUCT program 13 years ago and two years ago, his daughter also graduated from the program. Both are line workers. Other family members who graduated from the workforce programs also work for ComEd’s corporate partners.
“That’s the story of a family uplifting itself. They’ve created legacy, they’ve uplifted the opportunity. I love seeing them walk through the halls,” Holbert said. She said there is perpetuity to it, to see families being employed after graduating from the programs.
In 2024, 766 people graduated from the training programs. In addition to its programs, ComEd participates in job fairs, career fairs and going to schools, as a way to engage the community.
For more information about the workforce and education programs, visit ComEd.com/CleanEnergyJobs.
Latest Stories
- It’s National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day and Being Black is Under Attack
- EXPERIENCE AN EVENING OF INSPIRATION, ART, AND COMMUNITY AT THE 2025 BRUSHES WITH CANCER ART EXHIBITION AND CELEBRATION ON SATURDAY, MARCH 15 AT THE WRITERS THEATER
- ALDERMAN COLEMAN TO HOST CHICAGO’S LARGEST VALENTINE’S DAY APPRECIATION LUNCHEON
- Alumni Greg and Ronda Brenneman make historic $50 million gift to Washburn University
- Cook County Clerk’s Office Seeking Election Judges for Upcoming April 1 Municipal Elections
Latest Podcast
100 Black Men of Chicago, Chairman David Day
