ComEd Celebrates Rockford’s First Graduating Class of New Market Development Initiative
May 21 2025 - 12:00PM
Business Wire
5-week, hands-on training program provides
northern Illinois residents with skills to complete in Illinois’
fast-growing energy-efficiency sector
ComEd today graduated nearly a dozen participants of its first
Skilled Cohort in Rockford; part of its Market Development
Initiative (MDI) that provides resources and training to help
create a diverse, local workforce that is qualified to take on
roles in the growing energy efficiency industry.
Over the course of five weeks, entrepreneurs completed training
to become certified in the latest building standards and receive
relevant knowledge to help advance their careers in energy
efficiency, HVAC, or weatherization.
“To help support the communities we’re privileged to serve,
ComEd has made increasing training and contracting opportunities a
top priority,” said Gil Quiniones, ComEd president and
CEO. “Through MDI, local entrepreneurs, individuals and
businesses gain a competitive edge in the growing field of energy
efficiency and can play a key role in advancing the clean energy
transition.”
MDI, launched in early 2024, integrates energy-efficiency skills
training for both novice and experienced workers and entrepreneurs,
while also providing opportunities for diverse vendors to obtain
certifications and join a vendor database. This database will
facilitate access to business opportunities through ComEd and other
primary contractors. These resources aim to strengthen the current
pipeline of diverse, skilled, and local talent necessary to
undertake the increasing number of clean energy projects arising
from the state's Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).
"The graduation of these Rockford-area residents from ComEd's
Market Development Initiative represents a significant investment
in our community's future," said Joseph Chiarelli,
Chairman of the Winnebago County Board. "By providing our local
workforce with specialized skills in energy efficiency, this
program not only creates economic opportunities for our residents
but also supports Winnebago County's commitment to sustainability
and clean energy. We're proud to see our community members
developing expertise that will benefit both their careers and our
region's environmental goals."
Since its inception over one year ago, ComEd’s MDI program has
successfully graduated a total of 80 participants across five
distinct cohorts. Education and certification are offered to
individuals from various experience levels and backgrounds,
focusing on areas that support the energy efficiency industry,
including:
- air sealing;
- mold identification and remediation;
- proper ventilation; and
- understanding how homes function as systems to improve energy
efficiency.
All training is provided at no cost to participants. Depending
on the course, participants may be eligible for a weekly stipend,
daily meals, and assistance with transportation.
Additionally, ComEd’s MDI enlists the support of over a dozen
community-based organizations who serve as local navigators to
recruit and connect job seekers and firms to training opportunities
provided through the initiative.
The skills and tools provided by MDI assist families and
businesses throughout northern Illinois in leveraging the benefits
of ComEd’s award-winning Energy Efficiency Program, which includes
services, rebates, and discounts to help customers manage energy
usage and reduce bills. Since its start in 2008, the program has
supported hundreds of thousands of families and businesses in
saving a total of over $11 billion on energy bills and over 99
million megawatt-hours of electricity. Additionally, the program
has contributed to reducing over 74 billion pounds of carbon
emissions, equivalent to planting more than 33 million acres of
trees.
For an in-depth look into MDI and how individuals, businesses
and entrepreneurs can apply and contribute to expanding the energy
landscape, visit ComEd.com/MDI.
ComEd is a unit of Chicago-based Exelon Corporation (NASDAQ:
EXC), a Fortune 250 energy company serving more than 10.5 million
electricity and natural gas customers – the largest number of
customers in the U.S. ComEd powers the lives of more than 4 million
customers across northern Illinois, or 70 percent of the state's
population. For more information visit ComEd.com, and connect with
the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and
YouTube.
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ComEd Media Relations 312-394-3500
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