ComEd, YMCA, and Goodwill graduate 89 teens from clean energy job training programme

ComEd, in collaboration with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago, has graduated 89 teens from its summer job training programme, CONSTRUCT Youth Academy. 

According to a recent study, the transition to clean energy could generate up to 150,000 jobs in Illinois by 2050. The CONSTRUCT Youth Academy is designed to equip local teenagers with the skills and knowledge needed for future employment opportunities in the growing clean energy field. 

Melissa Washington, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives at ComEd, emphasised the importance of such initiatives: 

“With the clean energy transition set to create thousands of jobs in the years ahead, programmes like CONSTRUCT Youth Academy are essential to creating pathways for more diverse local youth to join the utility field and to prepare our communities for a cleaner energy future.”

Programme Activities and Expansion

During the three-week programme, participants, who are rising high school juniors and seniors, explored various career paths within the energy sector. They engaged with industry professionals, toured ComEd training facilities, and learned about the latest technologies, including drones and electric vehicles. Students also participated in a community service project, assembling dressers for those in need.

The programme's reach expanded significantly this year, from 21 participants last year to 89, with five training sites across Chicago, including a new location in Palatine. Reflecting the diverse demographic of the region, 95% of participants were people of colour, and a quarter were girls.

Martina "Tina" Hone, Chief Economic Inclusion & Equity Officer at the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago, said:

 "There is no greater privilege than to empower young people to envision a future that they otherwise may never envision for themselves. The CONSTRUCT Youth Academy provided that opportunity to dozens of young people this summer, and our team is incredibly grateful to have been able to deliver this programme at the YMCA again this year, alongside our phenomenal partners at ComEd and Goodwill."

Mentorship and Future Prospects

This year, two graduates from last year's cohort returned as mentors, providing guidance and support to new participants. This mentoring aspect helps develop leadership skills among former students while fostering a supportive community environment.

Clayton Pryor, Chief Mission Officer at Goodwill Greater Milwaukee & Chicago, highlighted the role of partnerships in the programme's success:

 “At Goodwill, we are committed to joining partners like ComEd and the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago to open the door to opportunities for young Chicagoans. We are proud to be part of this effort by providing an additional programme access point and skills training that empowers students to confidently enter a STEM or trade-focused career following graduation.”

The CONSTRUCT Youth Academy builds on the success of ComEd’s CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy, which has graduated nearly 900 residents to date, with a job placement rate exceeding 70 percent. The youth-focused programme aims to replicate this success by reaching younger participants and preparing them for future career opportunities.

Gabriel Gaytan, Jr., a recent graduate of the programme, expressed his enthusiasm: 

“This programme opened my eyes to new possibilities. During the programme, I decided I want a future job at ComEd, but every time we would learn about a new career I would change my mind about what I wanted to do. I can’t remember the last time I was this excited about the future.”