David Hampton of Chicago’s Avalon Park neighborhood had no prior experience in the field of energy efficiency (EE) when he enrolled in ComEd’s Market Development Initiative (MDI)—a new program helping local jobseekers get their foot in the door of the growing clean energy industry.
David Hampton, MDI Graduate
David is one of 55 graduates of ComEd MDI, which launched last year to provide essential training and certifications in the EE field. With more and more people going electric and making upgrades to their homes and buildings to save on energy use and costs, ComEd is expanding training opportunities so that there are more professionals ready to take on the growing body of work in clean energy.
“I first heard about ComEd MDI from my grandfather who owns a small business that specializes in installing solar panels and EV charging stations,” David said. “As I learned more about the program and all the support it offered, I knew this was my chance to earn industry certifications which could open doors for me in the field of energy efficiency.”
Jobs in EE are expected to rise in the years ahead as customer behaviors evolve—beyond managing energy usage and costs, many are also looking to new cleaner energy technologies that help reduce emissions. With the clean energy transition poised to create up to 150,000 new jobs in Illinois by 2050, MDI is helping fill a critical need as jobseekers and entrepreneurs prepare to learn new technology and benefit from the growth in EE activity hitting homes and businesses.
Not only do MDI participants get a leg up with new training opportunities, but they become skilled in a variety of industry disciplines including energy principles, air leakage, duct sealing, insulation, and more. At the end of the training course, students will take the needed exams to earn three Building Performance Institute certifications which can lead to careers with an average salary of $55,000/year, such as retrofit installer, crew leader, energy auditor, and quality control inspector.
“MDI is an integral part of ComEd’s commitment to supporting diversity in the energy efficiency industry,” said Nick Bafaloukos who, as ComEd’s director of business and customer support, serves as coordination leader for ComEd MDI. “This program is remarkable in so many ways—mainly due to the program participants. With more diverse energy-efficient contractors available, more families and businesses can take advantage of clean energy resources to save money and the environment.”
Adrianna Dupree, MDI Graduate
What programs are available through MDI?
ComEd is committed to building the local, diverse and qualified talent pipeline needed to create a cleaner energy future. To do that, the energy company launched two training cohorts: a Newcomer Cohort for those new to the EE industry, and a Skilled Cohort for those looking to build on their existing experience. In addition to training and development, MDI also includes opportunities for business development, resources for service providers, and community collaboration.
Adrianna Dupree is from Chicago’s South Lawndale neighborhood and another graduate of ComEd’s Newcomer Cohort. “It’s amazing how much there is to know about energy efficiency, and I’m thankful for these programs for making it easier to adjust my career path and get involved with the energy industry,” said Adrianna.
MDI expands in 2025
Building on the initiative’s successes in 2024, ComEd plans to offer additional Newcomer and Skilled Cohorts in 2025, in hopes of doubling the number of individuals who can participate in the initiative. This year, ComEd plans to offer three Newcomer Cohorts and three Skilled Cohorts, as well as a separate training track for small business owners interested in becoming a certified ComEd Energy Efficiency Service Provider—a network of diverse energy-efficiency suppliers serving ComEd customers.
To learn more and take part in this year’s programming, visit ComEd.com/MDI.
