Lake County Gazette

As part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), Gov. JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity have set aside $6 million in funding for the Energy Transition Navigators Program.

Energy Transition Navigators will be tapped in a competitive Notice of Funding Opportunity process, a recent press release from Pritzker’s office said. It is being touted as a program to set up a string of providers statewide to educate the public and provide outreach and recruitment services to get key demographics to take part in CEJA clean energy employment and contractor development efforts.

"At the heart of our landmark Climate and Equitable Jobs Act sits our people—and the Energy Transition Navigators Program will ensure that historically underserved communities have the opportunity to take part in our clean energy workforce," Pritzker said in the release. "Together, we are building an environmentally and economically prosperous future—one where every Illinoisan has access to the good-paying jobs of tomorrow, while we create a cleaner and more sustainable world."

Once the operation is set up the navigator units will be involved in providing access to CEJA training for key demographics in concert with outreach and recruitment efforts, the release said. The navigator teams will also partner with workforce units to work with industry leaders, unions and area employers to determine the skills and hiring needs of the local clean energy industry to develop programs that provide career training and job placement for people who meet eligibility requirements.

State Sen. David Koehler (D-Peoria) noted that CEJA legislation will drive Illinois forward toward a carbon-free future while creating myriad opportunities for high-paying union jobs in the clean energy sector.

"The Navigator Teams will play a pivotal role in building a bridge between communities who have historically faced barriers and the good-paying jobs in the clean energy economy that will make an impact for generations to come," he said in the press release.