Southern Illinois CEJA Workforce Hub
Program Overview
The Southern Illinois CEJA Workforce Hub provides free training for careers in clean energy. The program prepares residents for jobs in solar installation, HVAC, and other growing fields. Training is funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, a 2021 Illinois law investing in workforce development for the clean energy economy.
Man-Tra-Con Corporation operates the Carbondale regional hub, one of 14 CEJA Workforce Hubs across Illinois.
By the Numbers
- $2,348,858 — Grant award for Southern Illinois
- 130 — People the program aims to train in year one
- 19 — Counties served
- 12–16 weeks — Typical training program length
- $0 — Cost to participants (tuition, materials, and certifications covered)
Training Tracks
- Solar Installation — Design, install, and maintain solar systems for homes and businesses
- HVAC — Install, service, and repair energy-efficient heating and cooling systems
All participants receive foundational training in workplace safety (OSHA 10 certification), basic construction and electrical skills, clean energy fundamentals, and professional communication.
Who Qualifies
The program serves adults (18+) who meet at least one of the following:
- Equity Eligible Individuals
- Live in an R3 (Restore, Reinvest, Renew) community of Southern Illinois – https://dceo.illinois.gov/ceja/map.html
- Graduates of or currently enrolled in the foster care system, or
- Formerly incarcerated
- Face barriers to employment, such as:
- Having low incomes;
- Identifying as black, indigenous, or a person of color;
- Those who are or were in the child welfare system;
- Energy workers or dependents of displaced energy workers;
- Women;
- LGBTQ+ or gender nonconforming;
- Those having a disability, or
- Youth who belong to any of these groups
Support Services
Participants receive support to complete training successfully:
- Paid training — Stipends for time spent in class
- Transportation assistance — Gas cards and car repairs
- Childcare assistance — Direct support and help accessing state programs
- Emergency assistance — Help with rent, utilities, and other urgent needs
- Job placement — Resume help, interview coaching, and employer connections for 12 months after completion
Counties Served
19 counties of Southern Illinois – Jackson, Williamson, Jefferson, Franklin, Perry, Saline, Union, Johnson, Massac, Pope, Hardin, Gallatin, White, Hamilton, Wayne, Edwards, Wabash, Pulaski, and Alexander
About Man-Tra-Con
Man-Tra-Con Corporation has provided workforce development services in Southern Illinois since 1979, funded through the federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The organization serves job seekers and employers across Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, and Williamson counties, with the CEJA program extending services to 19 counties regionwide. Man-Tra-Con consistently meets or exceeds state benchmarks, with 77% employment rates for dislocated workers and 76% for adults in its programs.
Contact
Man-Tra-Con Corporation — CEJA Workforce Hub
Southern Illinois Multimodal Station (SIMMS)
401 S. Illinois Avenue
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-428-4460
https://mantracon.org/ceja
Greg Bouhl
CEJA Program Director
The CEJA Workforce Hub program is funded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act.