On Friday, February 28, ComEd opened its doors at its Oak Brook headquarters to 29 career and technical education (CTE) teachers from across DuPage County to learn about the variety of careers that support the utility’s operations and the energy industry. In partnership with the Illinois Board of Education, ComEd hosted a Teacher Institute Exploration Workshop in which teachers had the chance to participate in some of the work-based learning activities ComEd offers as part of its summer training program for teens, Tools of the Trade, and even gained professional development needed to keep their teaching certifications up to date.
Stas Baldazo, Training Supervisor, providing a demonstration on how to assemble a crossarm.
ComEd’s Tools of the Trade is a seven-week, paid training program designed to introduce youth 17-19 to good-paying careers in the construction and utility fields. Since 2016, the program has trained 180 teens for entry-level trades roles through classroom and hands-on instruction on basic knowledge and skills that prepared them for the CAST (Construction and Skilled Trades) test – an industry-required exam. Participants also have the opportunity to earn industry certifications, like OSHA-10, Flagger, and CPR, that give them an advantage when applying to jobs.
As an extension of the Tools of the Trade, the Teacher Institute Exploration Workshop strengthened ComEd’s partnership with area teachers who directly help students prepare for vocational careers available in the energy industry, said Wanda Wright, Manager of Training at ComEd.
Jen Nickels, Training Supervisor, presenting on the Smart Meter Operations & Systems Service.
“We’re exposing teachers to the mechanisms, curriculum, and hands-on projects that are part of our program so that they can learn how to infuse some of these lessons into their curriculums at the high school level,” said Wanda. “With evolving energy demands and increasingly severe weather, ComEd is working across sectors to ensure a skilled, local, and diverse pipeline of talent ready to maintain and modernize the grid serving more than 9 million people across northern Illinois.”
It is estimated that up to 150,000 jobs are coming to Illinois by 2050 to support the energy transformation. Nationally, the energy industry is expected to hire 32 million people over the next ten years, according to the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), a non-profit and partner of ComEd. Kristie Kelley, Workforce Development Director for CEWD, spoke to the CTE teachers via a video call to share how CEWD is driving greater recognition of energy careers to create a larger pool of qualified talent.
Keith Jackson, Transmission and Substation A Mechanic, showing teacher Kevin Jones how to use a hot stick – a telescoping tool used to handle energized wires from a safe distance.
“In partnership with ComEd, the CEWD is preparing youth for increasingly dynamic and technical careers,” said Kristie. “By adopting the Energy and Natural Resources Career Cluster, CEWD is developing industry-recognized stackable credentials, including free curriculum and content standards, to help educators better prepare students for many different careers in this growing industry.”
Kevin Jones, Curriculum Leader for Career Technical and Fine Art Education at Lake Park High School, joined in on the action to engage in professional learning. Kevin’s visit to ComEd was eye-opening – from the utility’s workforce and training programs, to the industry talent needs and economic opportunity, to the energy career cluster CEWD spoke about.
“ComEd’s Tools of the Trade is really just dynamite!” said Kevin. “This experience is something I can take back to our schools, show and promote to our kids so that they know what’s available. I also learned that we could pair our curriculum with CEWD’s and integrate those materials in the courses we’re teaching now. This could be a nice marriage to help kids get started on their chosen paths.”
Tools of the Trade is currently accepting applications through Monday, March 17 for locations in Chicago, Rockford, and Oak Brook. Interested candidates can learn more and apply at ComEd.com/CleanEnergyJobs.
