Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (CEJA)
Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program (CEJA) supports regional centers offering training and apprenticeship enrollment support to prepare a diverse workforce for building trades and clean energy careers.
Funder: Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity
Due Dates: October 30, 2026 (Application deadline) | December 31, 2027 (End of application date range)
Funding Amounts: $3,000,000–$6,500,000 per award; $16,000,000 total funding; 3 anticipated awards
Summary: Supports Illinois pre-apprenticeship centers preparing a diverse workforce for construction, building trades, and clean energy careers.
Key Information: Applicants must be qualifying Illinois nonprofit corporations and pre-qualified for their applications to be considered.
Description
The Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program, administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), funds centers that recruit, prescreen, and train people for apprenticeship pathways. Its goal is to create a qualified, diverse pipeline of workers prepared for construction and building trades careers expected to see clean energy job growth. Participants attend free of charge and receive a stipend.
The program consists of three regional centers serving the Chicago metropolitan area, Northern/Central Illinois, and Southern Illinois. Programming includes training, credentials, support with apprenticeship enrollment after completion, and barrier reduction services.
