Chicago — High school students from Chicago Public Schools (CPS) spent the day at the Peoples Energy Training Center in Little Village to take their next steps in a program that launches careers. Peoples Gas Bright Futures U is a joint initiative between Chicago Public Schools and Peoples Gas that provides classroom and hands-on experience in the energy industry. Students who complete the program have jobs waiting for them when they graduate high school.
Two groups of students were at the Peoples Gas training facility. They include high school juniors from across the city who are starting the training program. 76 students are currently in this phase of the program. Their parents and guardians were invited, as well, to learn more about the training and opportunities. Many of the students who complete the initial phase of Peoples Gas Bright Futures U will go on to work as paid summer interns at Peoples Gas.
The other group of students at the training center today are in the program’s third and final phase. This phase features a direct path into the Chicago workforce. The 17 students in this phase are high school seniors. Upon completion of the program next month, most — if not all — of the students will be offered positions as project workers at Peoples Gas, with starting dates after their high school graduation.
“What these young men and women are learning now can serve as the foundation for lifelong careers,” says Laura Budzinski, manager of technical training for Peoples Gas. “Our partnership with Chicago Public Schools is a unique way to invest in students’ futures and strengthen our communities with a workforce that reflects all who live here.”
“This program trains young Chicagoans for good-paying jobs and lifelong skills,” says Jason Carter, president of Local 18007 Gas Workers, the union that represents Peoples Gas project workers. “The students are learning work that’s critical to Chicago’s energy infrastructure and to keeping our neighborhoods vibrant.”
Four current, full-time Peoples Gas team members joined the company in recent years through Bright Futures U. Each has since been promoted into a higher role at the company. The training is part of the Peoples Gas Energy Career Academy, which develops the Chicago workforce through multiple career pipelines.
