• Posted: April 24, 2025
• apprenticeship programs, Electrician Training, IBEW Local 134, IN-TECH, NECA Chicago, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy Training, Wind Energy Training

The IBEW-NECA Technical Institute (IN-Tech) in Alsip, Illinois, is revolutionizing the way electricians are trained for the evolving energy landscape. As the training center for IBEW Local 134 and the Electrical Contractors Association (ECA) of Chicago, IN-Tech is not just preparing electricians for today’s challenges but equipping them with skills to lead the renewable energy revolution. At the heart of this effort is IN-Tech’s state-of-the-art Renewable Energy Training Field, a facility that exemplifies innovation, adaptability, and hands-on education.

A One-of-a-Kind Renewable Energy Training Field

Launched as a collaboration between NECA Chicago and IBEW Local 134, the Renewable Energy Training Field is a cutting-edge facility designed to prepare electricians for every aspect of renewable energy technology. This unique training ground offers hands-on experience with systems that include:

– Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Systems: The field features multiple solar PV arrays, including a 3-kW dual-axis solar tracker that captures up to 40% more energy than fixed systems, a 5-kW asphalt roof array, and a 5-kW metal seam roof array. These installations allow students to learn proper installation techniques, safety protocols, and system optimization.

– Wind Energy: A 5-kW Bergey wind turbine provides practical training in small-scale wind energy generation. Its innovative monopole design allows it to be hydraulically raised and lowered in under a minute.

– Smart Grid Applications: The facility incorporates advanced smart-grid technologies, including a 73-kW solar power system with energy storage capabilities. This system integrates ground-mounted solar arrays, roof-mounted panels, and solar carports, teaching students how to manage energy flows and even sell unused power back to the grid.

– Battery Storage Systems: Apprentices gain expertise in battery storage technologies essential for storing renewable energy and reducing peak energy costs.

The Renewable Energy Training Field not only trains electricians but also serves as a research and development hub. Contractors can simulate real-world applications for clients while students gain invaluable hands-on experience solving site-specific challenges.

A Campus Built for Excellence

IN-Tech’s main campus spans 29 acres and includes a 120,000-square-foot facility equipped with 12 classrooms, eight laboratories, and full-scale residential and commercial mock-ups. These spaces provide apprentices with opportunities to practice installing electrical systems in realistic environments. The institute’s commitment to safety, quality, and innovation ensures that every graduate is prepared to meet the highest industry standards.

Key features of IN-Tech’s programs include:

– Comprehensive Apprenticeships: IN-Tech offers two apprenticeship tracks—a four-year communications program and a five-year construction program. Both combine classroom instruction with extensive on-the-job training. Apprentices learn foundational electrical principles before advancing to specialized topics like renewable energy systems and building automation.

– Earn While You Learn: Unlike traditional education pathways burdened by tuition costs, IN-Tech apprenticeships are paid programs. Graduates leave debt-free and enter the workforce with competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits packages.

– Diverse Learning Environments: Training extends beyond the classroom to real-world job sites across Chicago. Whether working on skyscrapers in the Loop or solar fields in suburban Illinois, apprentices gain practical experience alongside seasoned professionals.

Preparing for the Future

As renewable energy continues to grow—forecasted to supply nearly half of U.S. electricity by 2050—the demand for skilled electricians is skyrocketing. IN-Tech’s Renewable Energy Training Field positions Chicago at the forefront of this transformation by producing electricians certified in cutting-edge technologies like solar PV systems, wind turbines, battery storage, and electric vehicle charging stations.

By staying ahead of industry trends and incorporating future-ready technologies like vehicle-to-grid power systems and wireless charging stations into its curriculum, IN-Tech ensures its graduates are equipped for decades of innovation.

The IBEW-NECA Technical Institute is a launchpad for careers that will shape the future of energy. From its unparalleled Renewable Energy Training Field to its comprehensive apprenticeship programs, IN-Tech exemplifies Powering Chicago’s commitment to better construction, better careers, and better communities. As Chicago leads the charge toward sustainability, IN-Tech sets a standard of excellence in preparing the next generation of electricians for an electrified future.