ComEd’s Market Development Initiative offers training and support services to expand delivery of clean energy & money saving options to customers

CHICAGO: To help increase business opportunities for local, diverse service providers and entrepreneurs across northern Illinois, ComEd today announced the launch of the Market Development Initiative (MDI). This initiative is designed to provide individuals – both new to and experienced in the energy-efficiency industry – with skills and tools that can help them compete for job opportunities in this fast-growing sector. The result is more opportunities for families and businesses to take advantage of energy-efficiency offerings that can save them money and energy.

The launch of MDI is the latest example of ComEd’s commitment to the goals and policies outlined in Illinois’ Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which includes calls for the expansion of clean energy technologies that lower carbon emissions. New skills training programs under MDI are designed to support growth of the energy efficiency (EE) market, which can play an essential role in achieving clean energy goals, while preparing individuals for new opportunities created by the expanding clean energy industry. A recent study commissioned by ComEd projects the transition to clean energy could create a net increase of more than 150,000 jobs for the state by 2050. Applications for some of the programs under MDI are now being accepted at ComEd.com/MDI.

“ComEd is committed to ensuring our local businesses and residents are well positioned to play a part in – and take advantage of – the expected growth in the energy-efficiency market,” said Melissa Washington, Senior Vice President of Customer Operations and Strategic Initiatives at ComEd. “In collaboration with organizations across the region, MDI will deliver training necessary to help more local businesses join this expanding market, while improving chances for local residents to obtain good-paying jobs in the energy field.”

The skills and tools offered through MDI are designed to help families and businesses across northern Illinois access the benefits of ComEd’s award-winning Energy Efficiency Program, which features services, rebates and discounts to help families and business manage energy use to lower bills. Since its launch in 2008, the program has helped hundreds of thousands of customers save a total of $9 billion on energy bills, along with more than 82 million net megawatt-hours of electricity.

“For years, Walker-Miller Energy Services has collaborated with ComEd to help achieve energy-reduction goals, while taking an active role in helping other local, diverse businesses gain a foothold in the energy-efficiency industry,” said Carla Walker-Miller, founder and chief executive officer of Walker-Miller Energy Services. “As a part of MDI, we can contribute in a greater way to programs that help drive the broad adoption of energy-efficient practices and behaviors that ultimately lead to cost savings and a reduced carbon footprint.”

ComEd’s Market Development Initiative offerings

• Training & Development: ComEd builds upon its existing Workforce Development program by bringing forward two new workforce training cohorts. Both are designed to help grow the talent pipeline needed to supply ComEd and its partners working in the EE space. Programs – designed for workers both new and experienced in the EE field – are held locally to meet workers where they are. The next training session for individuals new to the energy industry begins Aug. 19, 2024.