Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund

Solar demo at Chicago Agriculture High School. Wrapping up the high school cohorts getting ready for our Summer Programs to set our students up with their next steps! Thanks to our REF, Ag Mech & Tech instructor, & IBEW electrician Jeff Warta for hosting!

Off Grid Energy Storage demo at Leo High School. Wrapping up the high school cohorts getting ready for our Summer Programs to set our students up with their next steps!

Taevon M, an IBEW REF graduate at Triton College and Summer Solar 2024 graduate has received the news he has made it into the C card apprenticeship program. Congrats Taevon! All your hard work has paid off! First pair of Boots #ibew #ibewref #local134

@prosser_ca & @ibewref signing day! IL IBEW REF & Prosser's Mr. French host a celebration day celebrating the students who are choosing to pursue a career pathway with the IBEW REF! And a surprise first tool kit courtesy of Mr. French! Congrats to all these graduating students!

IL IBEW REF Secretary & Local 134 Business Representative, Bea Thompson retires today! Bea, your friendship, leadership, and guidance will be greatly missed and always appreciated! Enjoy retirement Bea!!! 😎

IL IBEW REF Secretary & Local 134 Business Representative, Bea Thompson retires today! Bea, your friendship, leadership, and guidance will be greatly missed and always appreciated! Enjoy retirement Bea!!! 😎

2025 was our largest Summer Solar cohort to date. 83 graduates went through the program and 82 students were placed into their pre-apprenticeship.

Prosser Graduate and current IBEW apprentice, Mia A, was surprised my her previous @prossercte teacher & CTE coordinator during a High School field trip at Local 134's apprenticeship school. . Not long ago, Mia was taking the same field trip, seeing the school for the 1st time.

We are pleased to announce that IL IBEW Instructor, Stephen Erspamer has been recognized as an IREC Certified Instructor for the job task analysis PV Associate!

A breathtaking Renewable view submitted by one of our REF instructors, Jeff Warta. . . . #REF

IBEW APPRENTICESHIP ALERT 🚨 Matthews Del Salto, a career change Individual and Night Class graduate is now an IBEW Local 134 1st year apprentice. Matthews is the first student for our newly formed Night Class to recieve the Apprenticeship letter, Congrats!

REF Graduate and 2nd year apprentice, Brian Fisher talks about this favorite Renewable Energy Project since becoming an IBEW Local 134 Apprentice.

NEW APPRENTICE ALERT 🚨 Sam R came into our program through our @morainevalley community college course. Ready for a career change he was dedicated on becoming an electrician. We’re proud of ya Sam! Congrats on the new path!

FIELD REPORT: 1st year apprentice, Ashley Quilhot takes a moment before work starts to take in the sunrise on her first Solar job. Congrats on your apprenticeship @ashlyn_rune, keep up the great work!

Conan The Electrician! ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️ Conan came into our program as a career change individual through @tritoncollege. As a former Brick Layer and massage therapist working with this hands, becoming an electrician was a logical next step. Congrats Conan!

FIELD REPORT: 2024 Summer Solar Graduate and now 1st year IBEW Local 134 apprentice Valerie Z getting amongst it in the field. Congratulations on your apprenticeship Valerie! 💪⚡💪

"One of the responsibilities you have with this opportunity, when the next generation comes in behind you, that you're sharing your knowledge" -Robert Hattier, Executive Director of The IL IBEW REF speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Summer Solar graduation.

The IL IBEW REF wanted to congratulate all the women who have came through one of our programs and now working in the field. We are proud of our Sisters!

IBEW & NECA technical institute's Tool Show and Open House Today and Tomorrow! A great opportunity to see the new tools of the trade and our apprenticeship school. Bring a friend. Bring the Fam.

The IL IBEW REF wanted to congratulate all the women who have came through one of our programs and now working in the field. We are proud of our Sisters!