• Posted: August 21, 2025
• Clean energy skilled labor, Illinois renewable energy apprenticeships, Powering Chicago solar contractor network, Solar workforce training programs, Union electrician career paths

As Illinois accelerates its clean energy transition, one critical question remains: who’s going to build it? At the 2025 Midwest Solar Expo, Powering Chicago Executive Director Elbert Walters III sat down with SunCast Media to discuss how Powering Chicago is answering that question. The organization’s mission of delivering better construction, better careers, and better communities includes building a renewable energy workforce that’s qualified, skilled, and scalable. 

Preparing the Next Generation for Careers in the Electrical Trade

For decades, skilled trades were pushed aside in favor of four-year degrees. Where vocational training once offered clear pathways into essential industries, many schools have shifted their focus away from careers such as electrical work. That shift came at the expense of both students and the infrastructure those industries rely on.

Powering Chicago is working to close that gap. By partnering with high schools, community organizations, and workforce programs like Chicago Builds and Chicago Women in Trades, they’re reintroducing young people to the union electrical trade and providing the tools, training, and mentorship needed to build lifelong careers.

One of the most compelling insights Walters shared is the strategic use of solar power by Powering Chicago partners to spark interest in the electrical trades.

“Solar is just one part of the work our electricians do,” said Walters. “But it’s a powerful entry point.”

Through apprenticeship programs offered in partnership with IBEW Local 134 and the Electrical Contractors’ Association, aspiring electricians receive comprehensive training at the IBEW and NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech). This foundation prepares them to install, service, and maintain electrical systems, ranging from EV charging networks to data centers, conveyor systems, and high-rise projects, using solar as the starting point for career growth in every direction.

And that distinction matters. “If all you’re trained to do is install solar, that’s a job,” said Walters. “When you’re trained for a wide range of electrical work, that’s a career.”

Beatrice Thompson, who works with both IBEW Local 134 and the Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund (REF), echoed that idea, noting that many students don’t see a clear path until they’re introduced to opportunities like the REF’s Summer Solar Program. 

“We come in contact with high school seniors who know they don’t want college, but they don’t know what else is out there,” she said. “We provide them with an option where they can earn a livable wage and actually have a career, not just a job.”

The REF’s Summer Solar initiative provides hands-on training and job placement with Powering Chicago signatory contractors, giving participants a true sense of what electrical work involves. “They go out and work forty hours a week in the field. It helps them decide, ‘Is this something I’d like to do long-term?’” Thompson explained.

Investing in Renewable Training 

Long before the Inflation Reduction Act or state-level funding programs expanded access to clean energy training, Powering Chicago partners had already invested in renewable technology.  In 2015, they launched a renewable energy training field visible just off I-294 in Alsip, Illinois, a signal that labor and management were preparing for the future together.

That proactive approach is what sets their renewable energy workforce development apart. It’s not reactive. It’s rooted in decades of partnership between signatory contractors and IBEW Local 134 electricians, grounded in national electrical codes, and designed to ensure quality, safety, and longevity for every solar project installed.

Thompson emphasized that this approach extends beyond Chicago. 

“The REF trains instructors across 18 IBEW locals in Illinois, impacting more than 44,000 electricians. We ensure they’re trained in up-to-date solar installation practices and codes so that every job meets the highest standards,” said Thompson.

Access a Network of Qualified Electrical Contractors

With over 600 qualified contractors in their network, Powering Chicago helps clients connect with the right partner for the job. Their online contractor search tool enables users to filter by specialty (such as solar) and additional criteria, including minority-owned status.

“Now you’re not starting from zero. You’re starting with vetted, experienced electricians and contractors who know how to get the job done right,” said Walters.

The organization also provides educational guides and best practice resources for property owners, developers, and facility managers to ensure informed decision-making throughout the planning and execution process.

Whether you’re a developer seeking skilled solar installation teams, a facility manager navigating clean energy upgrades, or a young person looking for a career with long-term promise, Powering Chicago is leading the way in Illinois’ renewable energy workforce development. Watch the full interview with Walters and Thompson.