ComEd job training programs - CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy and Craft Academy - graduate 73 new, local job seekers for careers in construction and the utilities

Today, ComEd and a coalition of community and corporate partners celebrated a new class of 73 graduates from ComEd job training programs, CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy and Craft Academy – marking more than 1,000 local residents served by “Academy” job training programming since 2013. Designed to build a skilled and diverse talent pipeline, these free programs prepare job seekers for entry-level positions that lead to rewarding careers in the construction and utility fields.

In partnership with eight workforce community agencies and 40 sponsoring companies, educational institutions, and labor organizations, ComEd is connecting local talent to the knowledge and skills needed to break into the growing energy sector. A 2023 study, commissioned by ComEd, found that as many as 150,000 jobs will come to Illinois by 2050 to support the energy transformation.

“There’s never been a better time to join the construction and energy industry,” said Gil Quiniones, ComEd President and CEO. “These are areas that will make the most impact on the future of our communities as we face increasingly inclement weather and evolving energy needs. ComEd and its partners are dedicated to opening doors to local job seekers from the communities we serve who are ready for the challenge that comes with good-paying careers.”

ComEd Academy programming, including the Power Up Academy, a design- and engineering-focused job training program, is designed to grow the pool of qualified, diverse job candidates by providing adult participants the opportunity to earn industry-required certifications and receive testing preparation and hands-on experience. Together, these programs have placed more than 70 percent of participants in entry-level positions across ComEd and partner employers. Program graduates have reflected the vibrant communities of northern Illinois, with more than 95 percent being people of color and 25 percent being women. This year’s CONSTRUCT and Craft Academy class is no different; more than 90 percent are people of color and nearly 20 percent are women.

“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 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:

In its 13^th year of programming, the CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy today celebrates 64 new graduates joining nearly 900 program alumni. During the 11-week program, participants earned industry certifications such as a Class A CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) and OSHA-10 (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) safety training, studied modules of the NCCER (National Center for Construction Education and Research) Basic Construction Skills, and had the unique opportunity to shadow and learn from industry partners. This year, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Chicago, CONSTRUCT participants helped build homes across Chicagoland’s South and Southwest Sides as part of their trades training curriculum while giving back to their communities.

"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," said Britney Evans, 2025 CONSTRUCT graduate. "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.”

"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,” said Sadzi Oliva, Senior Vice President of Government Relations & Community at United Scrap Metal. “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:

Over the course of six weeks, 9 participants of the Craft Academy trained for entry-level trades roles at ComEd that require pole climbing and other physical attributes. Graduates of the Craft Academy are eligible for a scholarship to the Dawson Technical Institute Overhead Electrical Line Worker program to advance a career in the electric utility industry.

“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,” said Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and Chief Executive Officer at Chicago Urban League. “The CONSTRUCT and Craft programs represent a gateway to lucrative jobs that can provide the chance to build lasting careers and generational wealth.”

Since a 2018 agreement with IBEW (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) Local 15, ComEd has hired more than 1,000 entry-level workers, aided by training opportunities such as CONSTRUCT and Craft Academy. To prepare for the wide variety of future talent needs, ComEd offers a range of trades training and STEM education programs – last year, these reached 2,400 local residents. To learn more about ComEd programs, visit ComEd.com/CleanEnergyJobs or contact WorkforceDevelopment@ComEd.com.

ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ: EXC), a Fortune 200 energy company serving more than 10.7 million electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.

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