The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (the “Department” or “DCEO”) is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity (“NOFO”) to support the Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 12/02/2024
Size of the Grant: More than $1 million
Grant Duration: 1 Year
Details:
Investments in clean energy technology and infrastructure, funded through CEJA and other state and federal funding sources, will generate significant construction, installation, maintenance, and repair activity in Illinois. Historically, these investments have not benefited all Illinois’ communities and workers. The Illinois Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program is one of several programs created by CEJA to grow the clean energy workforce in a more equitable way.
The Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program is aligned with Illinois’ workforce, education, and economic development priorities. Billions of dollars of funding in clean energy technology and infrastructure through CEJA and other state and federal funding sources over the next decade have the potential to be a catalyst for the full inclusion of program participants in the clean energy workforce. By providing training, employment, and career development, the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program will help to increase and sustain prosperity in all communities.
Priority of Service
The recruitment, enrollment and placement of program participants must be prioritized based on the following communities and factors:
- One-third of program placements are for people residing in an area that is BOTH an R3 area and an environmental justice community. Preference will be given to applicants who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, language barriers, and applicants that are graduates of or current members of the foster care system.
- Two-thirds of program placements are for people who reside in EITHER an R3 area OR an environmental justice community. Preference will be given to applicants who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, language barriers, and applicants that are graduates of or current members of the foster care system.
- Priority for the remaining placements must be given to displaced energy workers or persons who face barriers to employment, such as low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, language barriers, and applicants that are graduates of or current members of the foster care system.
Funding Information
- Estimated Total Program Funding: $10,000,000.
- Award Range: $100000 – $4000000.
Grant Period
The period of performance is expected to be January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025.
Eligible Participants
Eligible participants for the Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program include Illinois residents who are at least 18 years of age and:
- Reside in an area that is:
- both an R3 Area as established pursuant to Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act [410 ILCS 705] and an environmental justice community; or
- either an R3 Area as established pursuant to Section 10-40 of the Cannabis Regulation and Tax Act [410 ILCS 705] or an environmental justice community; or
Qualify as eligible to participate as follows:
- meets the definition of a displaced energy worker; or
- is a person who faces barriers to employment, including, but not limited to, low educational attainment, prior involvement with the criminal legal system, language barriers, or is a person who is a graduate or current member of the foster care system.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants are community-based organizations, defined as organizations that:
- Provide employment, skill development or related services to members of the community;
- Includes community colleges, nonprofits, and local governments;
- Has at least one main operating office in the community or region it serves; and
- Demonstrates relationships with residents and other organizations serving the community.
Competitive applications will include a team of multiple partner organizations that collectively demonstrate the following:
- The ability to effectively serve all individuals, including diverse and equity focused populations by providing employment services;
- Agreements with employers, nonprofit organizations, or other industry organizations for work-based learning opportunities and to facilitate job placement or on-the-job training opportunities.
- The ability to deliver the Clean Energy Jobs Curriculum Framework, including meeting instructor training and certification requirements. The Curriculum Framework outlines instructor requirements for the Bridge Program training component, as well as the job specific training options. For instance, solar training must be delivered by a NABCEP registered training provider.
- The ability to recruit, prescreen and provide training to prepare workers for employment in the clean energy industry.
- Capacity to provide supportive services, ongoing engagement during and beyond training, and job retention services to participants.
- Capacity to offer training in locations that are accessible to equity investment eligible persons in the service region.
For more information, visit DCEO.
