Englewood's Newest Class of Clean Energy Leaders Just Got to Work

On June 17, 2026, a new group of Englewood residents walked into their first day of training, not for just any job, but for careers in one of the fastest-growing industries in the country: clean energy.

The Englewood Shared Renewables Solar + EV Training Program, hosted by the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce (GE Chamber) and GE Chamber Foundation, is officially underway. Over the next six weeks, a new cohort of young adults ages 18–24 will roll up their sleeves and learn the skills powering the solar and electric vehicle industries, right here on the South Side.

More Than a Classroom

This isn't a program where you sit and listen to lectures all day. It's hands-on, it's hard work, and it's already happening.

Participants are spending their mornings and early afternoons — Monday through Thursday, 10 AM to 2 PM, in person — building real skills they'll use on real job sites. The curriculum blends:

• Classroom instruction to build the foundational knowledge

• Hands-on work with tools, equipment, and live projects

• Virtual reality (VR) simulations that let trainees practice high-stakes scenarios safely before doing it for real

By the time this cohort wraps up on July 29, they'll have exposure to:

• EV conversions

• Solar PV installation

• BOS (Balance of System) components

• Professional development and resume building

• Career readiness skills

And they won't just be picking up know-how, they're preparing for NABCEP and NCCER certifications, two of the most respected credentials in the solar and construction trades. Those letters next to a name can open doors to apprenticeships, union jobs, and long-term careers in an industry that isn't slowing down anytime soon.

Why This Matters for Englewood

Solar installation and EV technology aren't niche fields anymore, they're where the job market is heading. Programs like this one are about making sure Englewood's young people aren't just watching the clean energy economy grow around them, but are trained, certified, and ready to be part of building it.

Want In On the Next Cohort?

While this group is already deep into week one, the door doesn't close here. If you know someone between 18 and 24 who'd thrive in a hands-on, fast-paced training environment, or if you're an employer looking to partner with a pipeline of newly certified talent, this is a program worth watching.

Learn more or register for future cohorts: www.gechamber.com/esr

Program Snapshot

Started	June 17, 2026
Wraps Up	July 29, 2026
Schedule	Monday–Thursday, 10 AM–2 PM, in person
Who's Eligible	Ages 18–24
Cost	Free
Certifications	NABCEP & NCCER

Questions about the program?

Jordan Bester, Program Director — jbester@gechamber.com

Kedrick Lacy, Program Lead — klacy@gechamber.com

General inquiries — connect@geccf.org | 312-768-8573

The Englewood Shared Renewables program is brought to you by the Greater Englewood Chamber of Commerce and GE Chamber Foundation, in partnership with the Evolve Foundation and EV West.