• Posted: December 17, 2024
• Apprenticeship, Chicago technical training, electrical apprenticeship, IBEW Local 134, IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech), IN-TECH, National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA), renewable energy careers, skilled trades, solar technology education, STEM education

More than 200 high school students will gather at the IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech) for Powering Chicago’s fifth annual STEM competition, highlighting the growing intersection of renewable energy and electrical construction careers.

“This year we have 53 teams from across Cook County and greater Chicagoland, with students designing and constructing advanced solar charging stations that align with current infrastructure initiatives,” says Gene Kent, IN-Tech Director.

The competition challenges students to apply STEM principles in real-world scenarios, combining renewable energy technology with practical electrical construction skills. Teams compete in constructing solar arrays and designing a data center while learning about sustainable energy solutions and career opportunities in the evolving electrical industry.

“This competition showcases how modern electrical work combines technical expertise with innovative problem-solving,” explains Powering Chicago Executive Director Elbert Walters III.  “We’re preparing students for careers that will shape our clean energy future.”

Participants gain hands-on experience with solar technology while exploring career paths in the union electrical industry, including roles in renewable energy installation, smart grid technology, and sustainable infrastructure development.

You can learn more about Powering Chicago’s industry programs, including what it takes to become an IBEW Local 134 apprentice and more about the innovative, state-of-the-art IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech) in Alsip, IL.