Architecture, Construction, & Energy

Sector Analysis

ACE Sector Overview

Key takeaways from the landscape analysis for the architecture, construction, and energy sector in the Chicagoland area:

Job Growth: Chicagoland Workforce Funders Alliance (CWFA) estimates there are 100,000+ construction trades workers in the region, with 11,000 new hires expected annually through 2026. (Construction Trades Guidebook, December 2020)
Green Jobs: According to the Solar Jobs Census 2019: Illinois, the Solar Foundation estimates that Illinois ranks 13th in the nation for the total number of solar jobs.
Union vs. Non-Union Pathway Opportunities: In the construction trades, hourly wages vary significantly for union and non-union positions. Non-union workers typically work for smaller contractors, on smaller projects. The starting hourly wage for non-union positions are typically close to minimum wage, while union trade apprenticeships start at a % of union journey worker wage. (Pathways in the Chicago-Area Building Trades, September 2020).

Overview of Private Training Landscape

Based on Based on WIOA Programs and Chicagoland CareerPathways, private training is a complicated and competitive landscape:

Registered Apprenticeships: Prevalent due to union history and large building associations. High wages but many well documented barriers to entry.
Non-Profit Training: Front line of adult or displaced worker interactions, focused on delivering pre-apprenticeship-type content. Very few full robust trainers for non-union occupations or placements.
Colleges and Education Institutions: Some pre-apprenticeship/apprenticeship content is embedded. Competing with private for-profit and non-profit programs.

Recommended Improvement Strategies for ACE

Based on the landscape analysis, the EdSystems team proposes the following strategies to both prepare residents for living wage roles in the architecture, construction, and energy sector and meet labor market demands:

For success in new wave of green energy jobs, the industry must be thought of as extension of existing construction trades infrastructure and marketed as such. Green jobs are an extension of skills and competencies found in building construction and electrical training. Training grounded in traditional construction competencies with an added layer of renewable energy, energy efficiency, and electrician fundamentals will increase maximum flexibility for middle-skill role seekers. CCC currently houses content/courses related to solar technology and energy efficiency in the Environmental Technology department at Wright College, under the focus area of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Trades and construction coursework, however, typically exist at Kennedy King College.
Due to barriers to entry and the highly competitive nature of union apprenticeships, expand programs leading to middle-skills roles on non-union construction (“master builder”) or support individuals towards roles in construction management.

ACE Priority Occupation and Promising Credential Areas

MIDDLE-SKILL CREDENTIAL AREA	OCCUPATIONS	TYPICAL ENTRY EDUCATION	CHICAGOLAND WAGE $/HR	CHICAGOLAND PROJECTED GROWTH (10 YR.)	ANNUAL CHICAGOLAND JOB OPENINGS
Construction Trades	Construction Carpenters	High School + On-the-Job Training	$33.51	-1.2%	1,261
	Electricians	High School + On-the-Job Training	$45.69	1.9%	1,073
	Brickmasons and Blockmasons	High School + On-the-Job Training	$43.46	1.1%	124
	Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	High School + On-the-Job Training	$37.85	1.0%	202
	Painters, Construction and Maintenance	High School + On-the-Job Training	$24.25	-1.7%	447
	Construction Laborers	High School + On-the-Job Training	$30.02	0.8%	1,538
	Operating Engineers and Construction Equipment Operators	High School + On-the-Job Training	$39.41	-0.4%	396
	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	High School + On-the-Job Training	$47.13	5.2%	682
HVACR and Weatherization	Heating and Air Conditioning Mechanics and Installers	Some College	$28.75	3.9%	303
Construction Management	Construction Managers	Some College	$57.41	1.2%	494
	Cost Estimators	Some College	$37.92	1.8%	211
	Construction and Building Inspectors	Some College	$36.96	1.2%	147