Climate and Equitable Jobs Act Workforce Hub

An overview of Clean Energy and the skill sets needed in the future.

Students can earn both OSHA 10-Hour Certification and CPR/First Aid Certification. 

• OSHA 10-Hour Certification prepares students with vital workplace safety information.
• CPR/First Aid Certification offers basic first aid and CPR skills in emergency situations.

Students can earn NCCER® Core Construction Certification by developing essential skills in: 

• Construction Math
• Introduction to Hand and Power Tools
• Introduction to Blueprint Reading
• Materials Handling

Throughout the course, students will understand all parts of electricity including an:

• Introduction to electrical safety, circuits and theory
• 44 hours of basic electrical content

Build a strong foundation for your future, students will gain 40 hours of essential, hands-on training to prepare for the workforce including:

• Communication Skills
• Resume Writing and Preparedness
• Mock Interviews
• Financial Literacy

Upon completion of training, participants will obtain basic knowledge related to the design, sales, installation, and operation of Photovoltaic Systems and will be prepared to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) PV Associate Exam. This program will provide sufficient technical and practical knowledge to be prepared for employment opportunities in Solar Photovoltaic system installation, design, or sales.

• 80 hours of training
• NABCEP PV Associate Certification

Job Pathways

• Solar Photovoltaic System Installer
• Solar Photovoltaic System Site Evaluator/Designer
• Solar Photovoltaic System Sales Representative

Career Progression

• Solar PV Sales Representative and Site Assessor
• Solar PV Crew Chief
• Solar PV Project Manager
• PV System Inspector
• Solar Field Technician
• Solar Project Developer

Prerequisites

Before beginning technical training, participants should:

• Be comfortable working in elevated spaces such as rooftops
• Be comfortable using hand and power tools and managing materials
• Be comfortable working in teams and individually
• Possess good communication skills
• Be capable of working 6-8 hours per day in the field (with occasional overtime)
• Have at least an eighth-grade math level and reading level (tutoring/instruction should be provided to help people meet this requirement, if needed)
• Be able to use computers/tablets to communicate with clients and perform basic calculations
• Have OSHA 10 certification (provided in Bridge training)

Learn to identify areas of energy loss and how to install the best possible solutions. Upon completion of the train (BPI) exam certifications and be prepared for entry-level weatherization work.

• 168 hours
• HHP, BSP and ALCI Certifications

Job Roles

• Weatherization installation technician
• Weatherization marketing & sales
• Construction laborer with a retrofit focus

Career Progression

•  Weatherization installation supervisor
• Weatherization crew leader
• Weatherization field trainer

In order to qualify, students should:

• Be comfortable in confined spaces
• Be comfortable using basic tools 
• Be comfortable working in teams
• Be capable of working 6-8 hours per day in the field (with occasional overtime)
• Have at least a sixth-grade math level
• Be able to use computers/tablets to perform basic calculations
• Be able to work in all types of housing stock in most weather conditions

• HVACR 1100
  Refrigeration Principles
  3 Credit Hours

  Introduction to basic principles of refrigeration, basic laws of matter, fluids, gases, compression systems, refrigeration controls, refrigerants, and components. Also introduces service practices including the use of a refrigeration service manifold, recovery, vacuuming, and charging a system. (2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

• HVACR 1105
  Introduction to Safety, Materials and Equipment
  3 Credit Hours

  Introduction to general safety practices, tool safety, the use and care of hand tools, specialty tools used in the Heating Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and refrigeration(HVACR) industry, pipe fitting basics, tubing and connection methods, brazing and soldering, and a variety of other basics needed to be successful in the HVACR industry. (2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

• HVACR 1108
  Refrigerant Certification
  1 Credit Hour

  Environmental handling, refrigerant equipment and certification types are covered. Federal Government requires all individuals who open a system or container holding refrigerant to be certified. EPA refrigerant certification test given. (1 lecture hour)

• HVACR 1110
  Introduction to Electricity and HVACR Controls
  3 Credit Hours

  Practical study of electricity, electrical hardware, and electrical test instruments that are used in the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration industry. Students will be introduced to: basic electricity, circuits, schematics, power distribution, electrical components, and motors. (2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

• HVACR 1181
  Heating Principles
  3 Credit Hours

  Introduction to heating systems and equipment used in the Heating Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVACR) industry. The course will introduce students to residential and light commercial forced-air systems, hydronic boilers, low pressure and high pressure steam boilers, electric heating, components, sequences of operation, and venting. (2 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)

• Energy Auditor Training delivers 240 hours of hands-on HVAC and software instruction will be held at College of DuPage’s main campus in the Technical Education Center (TEC). 
• HVACR 2232 Energy Audits/Economics -Purpose, objectives and mechanics of the energy audit and economic processes include the audit procedures, heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems, lighting, auxiliary equipment, energy conserving, cost-saving measures and analysis techniques that are necessary for evaluation of energy projects. After successful completion of the course, students are eligible to take the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Refrigerant Certification Test. (1 lecture hour, 2 lab hours)
• HVACR 2240 Load Calculations and Duct Design - Techniques and procedures necessary to evaluate residential and commercial heat loss, heat gain and duct layout design. Heat transmission, infiltration, R-value, U-valve, duct analysis, duct sizing, duct and register location and selection, and equipment sizing and selection. (4 lecture hours, 2 lab hours)
• HVACR 2260 Heating and Air Conditioning Contracting - Application of the HVACR design and implementation procedure, with emphasis on the equipment selection process, as outlined in Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manuals S and CS, Residential and Commercial Equipment Selection. Best practices for residential and light commercial HVACR contractors and designers, including identifying and incorporating recognized industry practices into business operations. (3 lecture hours)
• Plus, Thermal Image camera training and software for industry.

• Students can opt to transition directly into employer-based learning opportunities, providing for greater hands-on experiences.
• CEJA staff will continue to work with students individually for up to a year to assist in securing long-term employment.