By: Angela Mennecke
College of DuPage recently celebrated the first class to complete its Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) Aurora Workforce Hub training program, marking a key milestone in the College’s clean energy workforce initiative. A completion ceremony was held May 9 in recognition of the students' achievements.
The program provided participants with foundational knowledge and hands-on experience in clean energy concepts, building science principles, basic construction and electrical skills. Graduates earned OSHA 10, First Aid/CPR, and National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) Core Construction certifications.
Several graduates have already taken the next steps in their career pathways. Four are currently enrolled in a solar installation training program, and two are now working in the solar industry. Two additional graduates are preparing to begin training in HVAC systems.
The CEJA Aurora Workforce Hub is supported by a $3.1 million grant through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. The program serves individuals from Environmental Justice communities, returning citizens, displaced energy workers, foster youth and others facing barriers to employment.
COD extends special thanks to Aurora University, Quad County Urban League and the City of Aurora for their continued support and partnership.
The College plans to enroll 140 students in the CEJA training program throughout the 2025-26 academic year, continuing its mission to build equitable access to clean energy workforce opportunities.
Photo caption (from left): CEJA graduate Jordan Murray; CEJA Aurora Network Workforce
Hub Director Callie Matheny; Student Support Specialist Yanika Barfield; Nathan Ehrich;
Emmanuel Yanez-Lopez; Jesse Pringles; Rudy Bless (back row); Jacob Varghese; Enrico
Williams (back row); Recruitment and Transitions Manager Rebecca Bahr; Emmauel Ambrahmen
(back row); Kane County Board Member Mavis Bates; Student Support Specialist Kylee
Draviczski; Zenas Wright (back row); and Instruction and Assessment Manager Michaela
Ensweiler.