Illinois IBEW Renewable Energy Fund

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!

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!

FIELD REPORT: Summer Solar graduate and now 2nd year apprentice, Malina V, installs an outdoor panel & ground rod. She came into our program right after graduating @chicagoagsciences and we couldn’t be more proud of her. Keep up the great work Malina!

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 this weekend! A great opportunity to see the new tools of the trade and our apprenticeship school. Bring a friend. Bring the Fam. Hope to see you then!

REF Graduate and now 2nd year Apprentice, Brian Fisher who started his pathway @tritoncollege speaks on his experience that lead him to his new career.

Local 702 Electricians proudly stand in front of the newly installed Solar Tracker system provided by the IL IBEW REF. . #solar #ibewref #ibew

"Make sure you're there, make sure you're ready to work" -Jeff Warta, IBEW Electrician & IL IBEW REF Instructor at Chicago Agriculture High School, speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Summer Solar graduation, which sent 83 of our graduates into the field as trainees.

FIELD REPORT: Perrion F, a 2025 Summer Solar graduate checks in from his various job sites where the trainee program has taken him in the last 8 months. . #ibewref

On a recent visit to the Quad Cities Electrical Training Center to drop off some Solar Training equipment during a snow storm, the IL IBEW REF saw an opportunity to leave our mark on the facilities Solar Array.

The 5th year apprentices of IBEW local 117 test out the new Illumination Solar Training Lab’s Grid Tied side, provided by the IL IBEW Renewable Energy Fund. Proud of these apprentices becoming Journey Level qualified Solar installers.

"The career path is unlimited in our industry" -Bob Fimbianti, President of the ECA speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 Summer Solar graduation, which sent 83 of our graduates into the field as trainees.

FIELD REPORT: Bakari NewChurch . 2024 Summer Solar Graduate and now IBEW Local 134 1st year apprentice STRUTS his stuff from a Chicago jobsite. We are incredibly proud of our graduates making it into the apprenticeship program. Keep up the great work Bakari!