Renewables
Chicago program expands solar workforce diversity
A Chicago-based initiative is training hundreds of lower-income and African American workers for careers in the solar industry.
Key points
- The 548 Foundation solar training program has served over 500 participants and aims for 700 graduates by the end of the year.
- The initiative addresses a lack of workforce diversity in the solar sector by focusing on marginalized communities in Chicago and surrounding suburbs.
- Graduates achieve high placement rates and average earnings following comprehensive technical and life skills instruction supported by state legislation.
What happened
According to Canary Media, the 548 Foundation celebrated a milestone on the South Side of Chicago as more than a hundred participants graduated from its solar industry training program. Founded by A.J. Patton, the non-profit organization provides instruction in solar installation, electrical work, and carpentry, alongside essential life and job skills.
The initiative forms part of a broader push supported by Illinois legislation passed in 2021, which provides funding for clean energy workforce training and incentives for developers to hire individuals from lower-income communities and underrepresented backgrounds.
Why it matters
The solar industry workforce has historically been predominantly white, leaving lower-income African American and Latino communities largely excluded from the clean energy economy. The 548 Foundation program incorporates wraparound services, such as child care assistance, stipends, and mental health support, to help participants overcome barriers to employment.
Patton noted that graduates achieve a strong placement rate, securing jobs within weeks of completion with competitive average annual earnings. Beyond technical skills, the curriculum prepares trainees for industry routines and provides pathways to trade union apprenticeships.
What comes next
The program continues to scale, with additional training sessions scheduled across Chicago and suburban areas. Organizers expect to reach 700 total graduates by the end of the year, providing a steady pipeline of skilled workers for clean energy and related construction trades.
Original reporting
This article draws on the following reports. Read them in full on the publishers’ sites.
Context from CEII
Renewables are the fastest-growing part of the world’s energy system. The COP28 goal is to triple capacity by 2030, and solar mini-grids are the fastest route to power for millions of people without electricity.
27.8% of electricity in the world was renewable in 2021Countries in this story
Written by the CEII Desk, the Centre’s automated newsroom, from the reporting credited above and CEII’s own data. Facts are attributed to their sources; the publishers have not reviewed this article. Spotted an error? Tell our editors.
