ComEd Academy Trains Over 1,000 Participants
In a proud milestone for workforce development in Illinois, ComEd, in collaboration with a robust coalition of community partners and corporate sponsors, has celebrated the graduation of 73 individuals from its hallmark job training initiatives—the CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy and Craft Academy. With this latest class, ComEd has now supported more than 1,000 local residents since 2013 through its Academy programs, all designed to prepare individuals for meaningful careers in construction, utilities, and the evolving energy sector.
These comprehensive programs are offered free of charge, underscoring ComEd’s commitment to creating equitable access to opportunity. By focusing on skills development and certification, they serve as critical pipelines to entry-level employment that can lead to long-term careers in trades central to Illinois’ infrastructure and clean energy future.
Meeting the Moment: Preparing for an Energy Workforce Boom
ComEd’s commitment to workforce development comes at a pivotal time. A 2023 workforce study commissioned by the company revealed that Illinois could see up to 150,000 new jobs created by 2050 as the state pivots toward cleaner, more resilient energy systems. These jobs will require a new generation of skilled workers to design, build, and maintain infrastructure across the energy ecosystem—from renewable installations and energy storage to transmission and distribution upgrades.
Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of ComEd, emphasized the urgency and importance of these efforts.
The programs are part of ComEd’s broader “ComEd Academy” initiative, which includes offerings like the Power Up Academy—a training program focused on design and engineering roles. Through these academies, participants not only receive hands-on instruction and industry-aligned certifications but also gain access to support services such as job readiness training, interview coaching, and career placement.
Together, these programs have had measurable success: more than 70% of graduates have gone on to land entry-level positions at ComEd or with its network of industry partners. Demographic diversity is also a cornerstone of the program. Over 95% of past participants have been people of color, and 25% have been women—helping to address long-standing equity gaps in energy and construction careers.
This year’s class continues that legacy of inclusion, with more than 90% of the graduates identifying as people of color and nearly 20% as women.
Public Support for ComEd’s Workforce Vision
Community leaders have taken notice of ComEd’s efforts to provide pathways to economic advancement.
“I am proud to see local investment in workforce development like the ComEd CONSTRUCT and Craft Academies that have a profound and lasting impact in the lives of Chicagoans,” said U.S. Congressman Danny K. Davis of Illinois. “They provide hardworking individuals in our communities the chance to pursue family-sustaining wages and a better quality of life. It’s a momentous day for the programs’ graduates as they embark on paths that lead them to building our future infrastructure.”
CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy: Building More Than Careers
The CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy, now in its 13th year, celebrated 64 graduates in this cycle. These individuals completed an intensive 11-week program that included both classroom learning and practical, hands-on experience. Participants earned key industry credentials such as the OSHA-10 safety certification and a Class A Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). They also engaged in foundational training based on the National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Basic Construction Skills curriculum.
One of the highlights of this year’s program was a partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Chicago, through which CONSTRUCT participants took part in building homes on the South and Southwest Sides of the city. This community-based training not only provided real-world experience but also allowed students to give back to their neighborhoods in a meaningful way.
Britney Evans, a 2025 CONSTRUCT graduate, reflected on the program’s impact:
“From the build day to the job shadows and coursework, the CONSTRUCT program gave me the boost I needed to build my professional network, be challenged, and find new opportunities. It really helped me understand the daily realities and benefits of the construction industry, and now my classmates and I will be able to break through all the glass ceilings and advance further in our lives and careers.”
The value of the program is also recognized by participating businesses. Sadzi Oliva, Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Community at United Scrap Metal, shared how CONSTRUCT is helping shape a stronger workforce:
“United Scrap Metal is proud to partner with ComEd in expanding career opportunities for more community members while building a stronger, more diverse workforce for the construction field. Through CONSTRUCT, we have hired several talented individuals who have thrived on our team and are making a lasting impact on our communities.”
Craft Academy: Training for High-Demand Skilled Trades
In parallel with the CONSTRUCT program, ComEd also celebrated the graduation of nine individuals from the Craft Academy, a six-week program specifically designed to prepare participants for physically demanding roles such as utility pole climbing and maintenance. These jobs are vital to electric grid reliability and represent a growing area of opportunity as infrastructure upgrades expand throughout the state.
Graduates of the Craft Academy are eligible for scholarships to further their training through programs such as the Dawson Technical Institute Overhead Electrical Line Worker program. These pathways offer a clear and achievable route to becoming a lineworker or technician—roles that are in high demand and offer competitive pay, benefits, and advancement potential.
Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League, which has partnered with ComEd since the inception of the CONSTRUCT program, praised the programs’ transformative potential:
“We are honored to have joined forces with ComEd over the last 13 years in connecting members of our communities to training opportunities that can change the trajectory of their lives. The CONSTRUCT and Craft programs represent a gateway to lucrative jobs that can provide the chance to build lasting careers and generational wealth.”
A Broader Commitment to Workforce Development
These programs are part of ComEd’s growing portfolio of workforce initiatives. In 2018, the company signed an agreement with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 15 to expand its hiring pipeline. Since then, more than 1,000 entry-level workers have been brought into ComEd’s ranks, many of whom first came into contact with the company through training programs like CONSTRUCT and Craft Academy.
Beyond skilled trades, ComEd is also investing in STEM education and other workforce readiness programs. In 2023 alone, the company reached more than 2,400 individuals through a range of community-driven initiatives aimed at preparing Illinois residents for the energy jobs of the future.
