The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is issuing this Notice of Funding Opportunity to launch the Illinois Energy Transition Navigators Program.
Donor Name: Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity
State: Illinois
City: Selected Cities
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 08/15/2023
Size of the Grant: $250,000 – $600,000
Grant Duration: 36 months
Details:
The goal is to establish a network of community-based providers across the state of Illinois. These providers will offer community education, outreach, and recruitment services to encourage eligible individuals to participate in clean energy workforce and contractor development programs.
The Energy Transition Navigators Program will provide outreach and recruitment for the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. The Department seeks to contract with the community-based provider(s) (“Navigator Teams”) to connect people to the CEJA workforce and contractor programs. Navigator Teams will provide outreach and recruitment services to eligible populations to ensure they are aware of and engaged in the statewide and local workforce and contractor development programs. Navigator Teams will prioritize individuals eligible for the following programs:
- Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program: Creates 13 workforce hubs run by community-based organizations to provide clean jobs training and a career pipeline for eligible participants.
- Illinois Climate Works Pre-apprenticeship Program: Creates 3 pre apprenticeship centers to train equity investment eligible individuals for careers in clean energy sector construction and building trades.
Additionally, Navigator Teams will engage eligible individuals to participate in the following programs:
- Clean Energy Contractor Incubator Program: Creates 13 regional contractor incubators to provide training, mentorship, low-cost capital, business planning, low interest loans, and recruitment opportunities for small clean energy businesses and contractors
- Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator Program: A program for contractors seeking to expand their capacity and fill the role of the prime contractor on clean energy projects through a structured five-year program with mentorship, operation support grants, business coaching, assistance applying for certifications, procurement programs, and preparing bids.
Investments in clean energy technology and infrastructure, funded through CEJA and other state and federal programs, will offer numerous employment and business development opportunities for the residents of Illinois. Historically, these types of opportunities have not always been available to some populations and communities. CEJA establishes various new programs and expands existing programs aimed at accelerating the adoption of clean energy sources, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency efforts.
Recognizing that the manufacturing, construction, and maintenance activities required to meet these regulations, incentives, and goals will require significant expansion of businesses and well-trained workers, the CEJA legislation includes several new workforce and contractor development programs. These programs are intended to equitably grow the clean energy workforce by serving equity investment eligible communities and equity investment eligible people.
Funding Information
- Awards will range from $250,000 to $600,000 annually
- Anticipated start date for awards is December 1, 2023. The period of performance is expected to be up to 36 months through grant awards that come with a one-year initial term, with the Department renewing each year for 2 additional years unless the grantee either declines to continue or fails to meet reasonable performance measures that consider program timeframes.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible applicants are community-based providers. One organization may propose to deliver all services or may subcontract with or partner with other entities to provide program elements or conduct outreach to specific populations or communities
- Navigator Teams must demonstrate:
- A history of providing education, outreach, and recruitment activities to low-wage or low-skilled workers or individuals from economically disadvantaged communities
- The ability to reach and recruit from eligible populations
- Relationships with relevant stakeholders, including Small Business Development
- Centers, economic development organizations, local employers, labor unions, trade groups, educational institutions or organizations working with eligible populations, environmental justice organizations, and any other entities that provide jobs, including businesses and other nonprofit organizations
- The ability to effectively serve eligible populations and economically disadvantaged communities
- The ability to engage with CEJA workforce and contractor program managers once they are selected, including:
- The Clean Jobs Workforce Network Program,
- The Illinois Climate Works Pre apprenticeship Program,
- The Clean Energy Contractors Incubator, and
- The Clean Energy Primes Contractor Accelerator.
For more information, visit DCEO.