Prepare for a successful career in the energy industry with these job-training programs.
Pathways to skilled trade positions at ComEd
To support the clean energy transition underway in Illinois, ComEd has embarked on a hiring expansion plan that will grow our workforce and provide training that prepares diverse workers interested in our field with the latest skillsets and technologies.
Start your journey at ComEd with one of two entry-level tracks that will help you prepare for exciting careers that offer long-term stability, family sustaining wages and opportunity for advancement at one of the largest utility companies in the nation.
Learn more about these positions:
Once accepted into either an Overhead Helper or Construction Worker role, candidates will begin a paid, 12-18 month apprenticeship to develop the skills they need to become an Overhead Helper Apprentices are ComEd employees and Local 15 Union members.
Learn more about the process and timeline here.
Apply for Overhead Helper positions here.
For these and other positions at ComEd visit: https://careers.comed.com/search/jobs
Read instructions on setting up job alerts for future job postings.
A collaborative approach connects determined people and companies.
CONSTRUCT is an annual 11-week job training program is designed to expose participants to entry-level positions in the utility and construction industry. Curriculum includes modules that:
This program is designed to build a stronger and more diverse workforce for construction-related jobs in Illinois.
CONSTRUCT is powered by a coalition of agency partners and sponsoring companies, social service agencies, and labor unions that is committed to enhancing opportunities for individuals interested in the construction industry.
The agencies, using experienced trainers, run the classes at their facilities, provide individual job counseling and guidance, and work with students on job placement opportunities. Entry-level job opportunities can include truck driver, transporter, foreman, customer service representative, line worker, designer, apprentice electrician, and more.
Led by ComEd, the participating companies include:
To learn more, contact one of the social service agencies:
Please contact us for any questions: WorkforceDevelopment@ComEd.com or download our CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy (pdf) brochure.
CONSTRUCT is part of CareerPower, the ComEd set of jobs initiatives.
Preparing candidates for utility and construction roles
Craft Academy is a 3-week training program designed to prepare candidates for utility and construction roles that require pole climbing and other physical attributes.
The curriculum is focused on entry-level craft positions such as Construction Worker and Overhead Helper. The program curriculum is designed to increase knowledge, awareness, and capabilities – with an emphasis on field roles that require physical aptitude to increase success rate of employment offers into ComEd craft classes and other construction roles.
Please contact us for any questions: WorkforceDevelopment@ComEd.com or download our Craft Academy Fact Sheet (pdf).
Kickstart a career in the Utility, Construction and Other Related Industries
ComEd Business Operations/Admin Training Program is a 6-week training program designed to gain the skills needed for entry-level administrative jobs in the utility, construction, and related fields. Recipients who complete this program will also earn a Business Operations 101 Certificate!
Focused on developing Business Operations & Project Management skills training needed to compete for jobs and connect you directly with partner companies.
Please contact us for any questions: WorkforceDevelopment@ComEd.com or download our CONSTRUCT Business Operations Academy Fact Sheet (pdf).
Training prepares you with the skills for employment.
The Dawson Overhead Electrical Line Workers (OELW) program is a 5-6 month program that prepares students for employment with a public utility, private electrical distribution contractor or cable company.
Training includes pole climbing, electrical theory, overhead distribution construction, general education courses, construction safety and rescue including OSHA 10-Hour Construction Worker Safety, Flagger and CPR certification. ComEd partnered with Kennedy King College to build this program in 2007, and since then the program has granted certificates of competition to over 277 students. ComEd has hired over 56% of the graduates of the program.
The City Colleges of Chicago Website contains detailed course and certificate information and applications.
City Colleges
Growing diverse businesses in the energy efficiency field.
At the end of the program, diverse contractors will be eligible to apply to the EESP network, and once accepted into the network, provide ComEd Energy Efficiency incentives to customers and grow their businesses through the successful completion of energy efficiency projects.
To be eligible, a contractor must meet the following requirements:
Please contact us for additional information or with any questions: WorkforceDevelopment@ComEd.com.
The Diverse EESP Incubator Program is part of CareerPower, a ComEd jobs initiatives.
Delivering a skilled trades program to four Chicago Catholic high schools
In Fall of 2022, ComEd, partnered with local education and philanthropic organizations, delivering the new Powering Our Future skilled trades and STEM training program. In a first of its kind program, ComEd piloted a $450,000 investment to deliver trades programming at four Chicago Catholic high schools in the Big Shoulders network, including two all-girls academies. Students participate in immersive programming that combines STEM academics in the classroom, with real-world experiences, training and mentoring provided by ComEd experts in the field.
The program launched at the following four schools:
Students and families enrolled in the four Powering Our Future pilot schools are encouraged to work with local school staff and guidance counselors to learn more about how the program complements their student's education plans.
Take an interactive field trip to ComEd's training centers.
ComEd offers field trips to two interactive education centers, located within view of its area training centers. Adult learners and community groups can learn about the history and science of electricity, how energy relates to their daily lives, ways to save energy and better manage their energy use, and the benefits of the smart grid. Each field trip is 90 minutes long.
Explore the story of electricity and learn how energy is changing to improve the way we work and play – all with a chance to interact with real line personnel in training!
Engage in a state-of-the-art, interactive experience and discover how the future of smart energy is in motion right now across northern Illinois.
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The center demonstrates the importance of diversity, inclusion and equity within our workplace and the communities we serve, while focusing on our commitment to STEM and development of future energy professionals.
A collaboration of industry employers, cooperatives, educators and government partners.
The Illinois Energy Workforce Consortium is a collaboration of industry employers, cooperatives, educators and government partners. The goal of our consortium is to assist in developing a pipeline of qualified candidates for energy industry jobs within the state of Illinois through education and career awareness initiatives. Join us for Careers in Energy Week, held each October.
Learn More
Teachers, students, and those interested in learning more about careers in energy can visit the following websites for more information:
Download our Workforce Development Fact Sheet (pdf) to see how we are revamping our recruiting, hiring and training processes, strengthening our focus on hiring local talent and partnering with community organization, labor union and companies throughout northern Illinois.
