Press Releases and Speeches

City Colleges of Chicago and ComEd Partner to Create Career Opportunities

Chicago, IL -City Colleges of Chicago and ComEd announced today the development of an innovative training program that will open the doors to a career as a ComEd overhead lineman to hundreds of Chicago area residents, while helping the utility replace retiring employees.

"While many corporations throughout the Midwest are downsizing, the City Colleges partnership with ComEd will offer more minority candidates greater opportunities for employment at competitive salaries," said Wayne D. Watson, Chancellor of the City Colleges of Chicago.

The first Overhead Electrician Line Worker Program (OELW) class began October 23 at Dawson Technical Institute, a branch of Kennedy-King College. Combining classroom and outdoor instruction, students take classes in math and science and receive physical training while learning the essentials of overhead line work safety standards, electrical pole climbing and overhead power line construction and maintenance. Students will graduate with an advanced certificate and be ready for hire at ComEd or other utilities.
In July 2007, program graduates will receive a certificate of completion from City Colleges and 35 hours of college credit.

Approximately 17 percent of ComEd's craft employees - those who build and maintain the electric infrastructure - will be eligible for retirement within the next five years. During this period, the company expects to replace approximately 300 field personnel with new line graduates, recruits from other line schools and internal candidates. ComEd provided an initial outlay of $250,000 in in-kind donations of labor and materials, and will donate an additional $75,000 per year over the next three years to the program.

Applications for admission for the next session, which begins January 16, 2007, are being accepted through December 27. Those interested in applying should call the Dawson Technical Institute admissions office at (773) 451-2100. Tuition and fees are approximately $5,500 for the 10-month program. Financial aid is available through City Colleges’ Office of Financial Aid. Applicants to the OELW program are tested on basic skills, and evaluated for climbing proficiency, strength and stamina. Anyone 18 years of age or older with a high school diploma or GED is eligible for admission.

The OELW training site mirrors ComEd’s existing line schools in Lombard and Joliet. Development of the OELW school at Dawson Technical Institute has involved the installation of 25, 40-foot high climbing poles at the Institute’s parking lot at 39th and State Street in Chicago. Additionally, the program utilizes Dawson’s classrooms, laboratories and fitness center.

To recruit students to the OLEW program, City Colleges and ComEd are working with local community-based organizations including the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association and United Services of Chicago.