McHenry Times

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have steered $6 million in funding to the Energy Transition Navigators Program.

"At the heart of our landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act sits our people – and the Energy Transition Navigators Program will ensure that historically underserved communities have the opportunity to take part in our clean energy workforce," said Pritzker in a press release. "Together, we are building an environmentally and economically prosperous future – one where every Illinoisan has access to the good-paying jobs of tomorrow, while we create a cleaner and more sustainable world."

The program works with individuals to join the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act workforce programs and helps trainees find careers.

With Energy Transition Navigators set to be selected through a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOF) process, the program is designed to establish a network of community-based providers across the state offering community education, outreach, and recruitment services to encourage priority populations to participate in CEJA clean energy workforce and contractor development programs.

"CEJA goes beyond creating a handful of programs – it creates an entire ecosystem to move Illinois toward our clean energy future," said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. "The Energy Transition Navigators will ensure that our training programs are accessible and equitable by recruiting and supporting Illinoisans who have historically faced barriers to good-paying jobs."

Navigator Teams will be at least partly responsible for ensuring priority populations have access to CEJA training, workforce and community programs by providing outreach and recruitment services.

Navigator Teams will engage with local employers, industry leaders, and unions to identify the skill and hiring needs of the local clean energy industry to tailor training program offerings, career pathway support, and job placement for eligible individuals.

DCEO will make awards to serve the 13 regional workforce hubs of the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program, as outlined in statute, including Chicago (South Side, Southwest Side and West Side), Waukegan, Rockford, Aurora, Joliet, Peoria, Champaign, Danville, Decatur, Carbondale, East St. Louis, and Alton.