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Welcome to the Energy Workforce Equity Portal

For Employers

Connect to job seekers, REGISTER AS A CLEAN ENERGY COMPANY, AND post jobs

For Job Seekers

Connect to employers, explore jobs, and apply to become Equity Eligible Persons

About the Equity Portal

The portal is an online source designed to help connect clean energy companies with Equity Eligible Persons looking to work in the clean energy sector in Illinois. Making these connections is a key aspect of ensuring that the clean energy industry in Illinois grows in an equitable manner.

Equity Eligible Persons can use this portal to post their availability to entities seeking to hire Equity Eligible Persons, and developers of clean energy projects (such as Approved Vendors and Designees in the Adjustable Block Program, or developers of utility-scale wind and solar projects) can use this portal to post clean energy jobs and to search for Equity Eligible Persons. 

This Portal is administered by the Illinois Power Agency, the state agency that administers the Adjustable Block Program, the Illinois Solar for All Program, and conducts competitive procurements to support the development of new utility-scale wind, utility-scale solar, and brownfield site solar projects.

Phase I of the portal was launched on January 31, 2023 and includes:

  • Information on qualifications and requirements for job seekers to become Equity Eligible Persons.
  • A form for applying to be certified as Equity Eligible Person.
  • A listing of Equity Eligible Persons who have volunteered to identify themselves to potential clean energy companies.
  • Information on job postings from clean energy companies for which they are recruiting Equity Eligible Persons.
  • Information on workforce training programs administered by DCEO.
  • Equity Investment Eligible (EIE) Community Map that can be utilized by anyone to determine if they or someone else reside in an identified equity investment eligible community.
  • Information on Equity Eligible Contractors participating in the IPA’s Adjustable Block Program.
  •  FAQs outlining commonly asked questions and answers on the portal.
  • A user guide to help clean energy companies and Equity Eligible Persons navigate the portal easily.

Phase II will be launched later in 2023 and will include additional information on workforce and job training programs, and resources and reports related to diversity and equity in the clean energy in Illinois. 

Creating Workforce Opportunities-Powering an Equitable Clean Energy Economy for Illinois

The State of Illinois enacted the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (“CEJA”) in September 2021. CEJA signifies the State’s commitment to transition to a clean energy economy and to create economic opportunities for historically underserved communities to participate in and benefit from a growing clean energy economy. 

Specifically, CEJA amended the Illinois Power Agency Act (“IPA Act”) to include Section 1-75(c-25), which directed the Illinois Power Agency and the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity to create this Energy Workforce Equity Portal per 20 ILCS 3855/1-75(c-25). This portal will help build a diverse pipeline of skilled and trained individuals working in the Illinois’ clean energy economy.
 

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