In 12 to 16 weeks (for most cohorts), you could go from no experience to certified and job-ready in solar installation or HVAC. Here’s how the training works, step by step.
The program serves residents of Jackson, Williamson, Jefferson, Franklin, Perry, Saline, Union, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Hardin, Gallatin, White, Hamilton, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, Pulaski, and Alexander counties.
From Inquiry to Employment
Start by letting us know you’re interested. Staff will follow up with information about upcoming training and next steps.
You’ll gather some basic documents to confirm eligibility. If you need help getting a state ID, birth certificate, or other paperwork, the program can help with that. Then you’ll meet with a Career Specialist to talk through your situation and your goals. This is a conversation, not a test.
Before classes begin, you’ll attend an orientation to get a clear picture of what’s ahead. Then training starts. After you complete the program, staff work with you to connect with employers.
Two Phases of Training
Training happens in two phases. Everyone starts with the same foundation, then moves into job-specific skills.
Phase 1: Bridge Program
The Bridge Program builds the foundation you’ll need for any clean energy career. It runs 120 hours or more and covers two areas.
Essential Employability Skills (about 40 hours)
These are the skills employers say they need but struggle to find.
- Job-ready skills: resume writing, interviewing, professional communication
- Life skills: goal setting, time management, financial literacy
- Workplace skills: teamwork, problem solving, knowing your rights
Clean Energy Basics (about 80 hours)
This is where you start learning the technical side.
- Safety certifications: OSHA 10 and First Aid/CPR
- How buildings and energy systems work
- Construction fundamentals: hand and power tools, reading blueprints, working with materials, construction math
- Electrical basics: circuits, current, conductors, and safety
By the end of the Bridge Program, you’ll understand the industry and have the hands-on skills to move into specialized training.
Phase 2: Job-Specific Training
After the Bridge Program, you move into training for your chosen career path. This phase runs 80 to 140 hours or more, depending on the specialization.
If you’re going into solar, you’ll learn how to install panels, wire systems, work with inverters, and troubleshoot problems. You’ll prepare for NABCEP certification, the industry standard for solar professionals.
If you’re going into HVAC, you’ll learn how heating and cooling systems work, how to install and maintain equipment, and how to diagnose issues. You’ll prepare for NATE certification, which employers expect.
What Does a Solar Installer Do?
Solar or HVAC? How to Choose the Right Trade
How Training Is Delivered
CEJA clean energy job training program happens in person at sites throughout Southern Illinois. There’s no online component.
The approach is hands-on and scenario-based. You won’t just read about how to use a power tool or wire a circuit. You’ll practice it. Training mirrors what you’ll do on the job, so you’re ready to work when you finish.
Schedules vary depending on the cohort and specialization. Programs run 12 to 16 weeks total.
Certifications You’ll Earn
You’ll leave the program with credentials that tell employers you’re trained and ready to work.
- OSHA 10: Workplace safety certification expected on most jobsites
- First Aid/CPR: Required for many construction and energy jobs
- NABCEP (solar track): The leading certification for solar professionals
- NATE (HVAC track): The industry standard for HVAC technicians
These credentials set you apart from people who learned on the job without formal training.
If You Struggle, You’re Not on Your Own
Some people haven’t been in a classroom for years. Some are juggling work, family, and training at the same time. The program is built to help you through.
Student support resources are available if you’re having trouble keeping up. Tutoring and academic help are part of the program. Your Career Specialist checks in with you at least every 30 days, not just at the beginning.
The goal is to help you succeed, not to weed people out.
You also get paid while you train. The stipend helps cover bills so you can focus on the program.
What Happens After Training
After you finish training, our team helps you find work. That includes resume assistance, interview coaching, and direct connections to employers hiring in clean energy. If you need help with work clothes, tools, or transportation while you’re job searching, support is available.
This isn’t a handoff. Staff stay in touch for 12 months after you complete the program to help you get established in your new career.
Take the Next Step
Training cohorts form throughout the year. If you’re ready to get started, or if you still have questions, reach out.
Learn More About the CEJA Program | Contact Man-Tra-Con
Man-Tra-Con has served Southern Illinois since 1979, connecting residents to career training and employment services. As the CEJA Workforce Hub for the Carbondale region, we provide free clean energy training and support to help you build a career that lasts.