Future Energy Jobs Act Craft Apprenticeship Program Grant

Funder: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

The Future Energy Jobs Act Craft Apprenticeship Program aims to enhance job growth in Illinois' clean energy sector by supporting registered apprenticeships in the electric industry. This initiative focuses on developing career pathways, providing essential training, and increasing opportunities for diverse, low-income populations. The program seeks to coordinate statewide job training activities, ensuring that participants gain the necessary skills for successful careers in various electric industry roles, including solar installation.

Notice of Funding Opportunity Intent
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to identify the organization that will coordinate a statewide Craft Apprenticeship Program that will support registered apprenticeship programs associated with the electric industry that may, but need not, be related to solar installation.
Program Description
Among the goals of the Future Energy Jobs Act (FEJA) and Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) is to stimulate job growth in the clean energy economy with investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. This program is designed to support employment in the electric industry, including electricians and electric line installers and repairers throughout the State of Illinois.
The Department seeks proposals that meet the specifications outlined in this NOFO to develop career pathways, provide training and establish apprenticeships in the electric industry, including but not limited to, the solar industry in Illinois. The selected grantee will have the capability to administer a statewide program that may include the coordination of project activities with regional and statewide partners. The goal of this NOFO is to identify a grantee to coordinate statewide job training activities in accredited or otherwise recognized apprenticeship programs that will:
Develop and support career pathways in the electric industry, including but not limited to, those enabled by FEJA and CEJA.Provide training on the requisite knowledge, skills, experience, and competencies to design, install, inspect and/or service electric equipment and/or systems.Provide apprenticeship participants with the foundational knowledge necessary for a career within the electric industry, including but not limited to the solar industry and provide diverse low-income, or economically disadvantaged populations with additional craft apprenticeship opportunities.Develop, coordinate and implement training activities that result in Registered Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships, and Youth Apprenticeships in the electric industry as defined in the Illinois Career Pathway Dictionary and outlined below.