(East Saint Louis, IL, May 15, 2023) – The Macedonia Development Corporation of East St. Louis (MDC) is proud to announce its inaugural graduation from its technical training program. The program is designed to help individuals who face barriers to employment or lack education the opportunity to overcome those obstacles and build a successful career in solar energy. In addition, the program provides students with hands-on experience and practical skills in today's high-demand job market. During the five-week course, students will earn college credit through Lewis & Clark Community College and assistants in preparing to take the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) Certification. The graduation ceremony will occur on May 21st at 1:00 pm at Macedonia Baptist Church of East St Louis at 10 N E Owens Place, East Saint Louis, IL 62201.
The MDC has collaborated with the Urban League of St. Louis Metropolitan save our brothers and sisters to present its graduation ceremony. The event will feature speeches from MDC, education professionals, Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO), graduates, guest appearances by State Senator Christopher Belts, Olympic Medalist Jack Joyner-Kersee, and more. There will also be a short film highlighting the graduate's skills they acquired during the training.
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On average, 40% of the benefits and investments in solar power, electric vehicles, and the grid must go to equity investment-eligible communities and persons. To help achieve this, individuals who stand to benefit the most from clean energy investment are trained and connected to the jobs that are being created by the growing clean energy economy in Illinois.
Despite East Saint Louis’ rich history, the city suffers from economic starvation, a struggling educational system, and a declining population. The current median household income of Illinois is $72,205/yr, whereas, in East Saint Louis, it is less than 35% of that at $24,009/yr.
Legislation like the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA) leads the charge for programs like this to exist. IL has the goal to be carbon neutral by 2045. That requires power plants to transition from coal to solar, buses to be electric, homes and buildings to be energy efficient, and use renewable energy sources.
Illinois Solar for All (ILSFA) promotes equitable access to solar energy through incentives that help make solar more affordable for income-eligible and environmental justice communities. A key component of the program is to ensure that income-eligible populations benefit not only through energy savings but also through job creation.
"We are thrilled to celebrate the graduation of our students who have worked hard to complete the East Saint Louis portion of the Solar Energy Bootcamp," said Jackie, Co-Interim Executive Director at Macedonia Development Corporation.
"Our program provides a pathway to success for job seekers and skills enthusiasts alike that desire to be a part of the shift to the green economy, through Solar. We are proud of our graduates and look forward to continuing to work with them as they shift into thriving careers," says Kyle Barber, Solar Instructor.
Media Invite
Members of the media are invited to attend the graduation ceremony and learn more about MDC's technical training program. Interviews with graduates, employers, and officials from the organization will be available upon request.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact Jackie at 618-515-5718 or by email at administrator@mdcnfp.org.
About Macedonia Development Corporation, NFP (MDC)
Macedonia Development Corporation is a 501(c) 3 whose mission is to improve the quality of life for the most vulnerable residents in the East St. Louis & St. Louis Greater Metropolitan area through major renewable energy projects, job creation, and community and economic development.
Media contact:
Teresa Fuller
Media Relations Specialist
A Divine Intervention Production
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