You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone
A lot of people look at training programs and think, “That sounds great, but how am I supposed to make that work?” Maybe you’re wondering who watches your kids while you’re in class. Or how you’ll pay for gas to get there. Or what happens if your car breaks down halfway through the program?
The Southern Illinois CEJA Workforce Hub program was designed with these questions in mind. It goes beyond tuition. It helps you handle the real-life stuff that gets in the way.
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.
You Get Paid While You Train
You earn $13 for every hour you spend in class, paid twice a month. Depending on the program, that could add up to thousands over the course of your training.
The people who designed this program understood that bills don’t stop while you’re learning new skills. The stipend is for your time in class, plain and simple.
Help Getting to Class
Transportation is one of the most common reasons people struggle to complete training. CEJA addresses this directly.
The program helps with gas cards and car repairs. If your license is suspended or your registration has lapsed, there’s help for that, too. When other options aren’t available, the program can help with rideshare costs to get you to class.
The goal is simple: if you’re willing to show up, we’ll help you get there.
Help Keeping Things Stable at Home
Life doesn’t pause while you’re in training. Kids still need care. Bills still come due.
The CEJA program provides childcare assistance, and staff connect you to state childcare programs if you’re not already enrolled. If you’re waiting for approval from another program, CEJA can help bridge the gap so you don’t have to choose between class and your kids.
There’s also help available for rent, utilities, and food if things get tight during training. The point is to keep a temporary setback from derailing your progress. Not sure if you qualify? Here’s how to find out.
Help With Training Costs and Gear
Training itself is free, but you may need things along the way: books, tools, uniforms, safety equipment, a laptop, or internet access for coursework. The program helps with these.
If you need documents to enroll, like a state ID, birth certificate, or transcripts, the program can help with those fees, too. The same goes for certification exams when you reach that stage. Here’s what to expect once training starts.
Help After You Graduate
Support continues after training ends.
Our team helps you find work through resume assistance, interview coaching, and direct connections to employers hiring in clean energy. If you need work clothes, steel-toed boots, or tools for your new job, we can help with that, too. Training prepares you for careers in solar installation and HVAC, both in demand across the region.
Transportation assistance continues while you’re job searching and getting established. This support stays available for 12 months after you complete the program.
Someone Helps You Figure It Out
This isn’t a system where you fill out a form and hope for the best. When you enroll, you work with a Career Specialist who sits down with you and talks through your situation. Together, you figure out what you need and what the program can provide.
There are limits to what any program can offer, but the goal is to address the real barriers that would otherwise keep you from completing training. Your Career Specialist checks in with you throughout the program, not just at the start.
You don’t have to wait for a crisis to ask for help. Planning ahead for childcare or transportation is just smart.
Take the Next Step
If you’re wondering whether you can make this work, talk to us. That’s what we’re here for.
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.