IIT's World-Class Smart Grid Education and Workforce Training Center

Early Smart Grid education
With more than 400,000 students in more than 600 elementary and high schools, CPS is the third largest school district in the country.  The CPS student population is 91% minority and over 75% live at or below the poverty threshold.

IIT has established a partnership with the Chicago Public Schools (CPS) to train high school teachers via down-to-earth courses, workshops, and webinars on smart grid, plug-in hybrid cars, and sustainable energy topics. 

One of the top priorities in CPS and the City of Chicago is to provide unique learning opportunities both inside and outside the classroom.  To help CPS accomplish that goal, IIT, in partnership with Siemens Industry, Inc., hosts and supports an innovative eight week summer program for CPS students who are residents of the Chicago Housing Authority.

Curriculum focuses on training students in smart grid and sustainability issues that prepare students to transition easily to post-secondary study at a community college or university and entry into the workforce. 

Technical Certification
Community college members of the Center will collaborate with IIT to develop and offer certificate courses and pre-engineering courses on smart grid that will prepare students for transferring seamlessly to IIT to complete a four-year degree program on smart grid.  The Center’s philosophy maintains a strong focus on encouraging more American, women, and minority, students to pursue engineering degrees and careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy. 

This collaborative process will provide diverse opportunities for community colleges to work with the Center, including assisting the Center in understanding the training needs of students at Community Colleges; collaborating with the Center to create curriculum and certificate programs for Community College students; working with IIT to create 2+2 articulation programs to facilitate student transition to IIT to pursue a four year or graduate degree program; and collaborating with the smart grid Center on creating workshops and webinars.

Professional Training
The Center will offer 3-5 day short courses throughout the year on smart grid technologies, including delivering tailored education programs created to meet the specific needs of participating corporate and Labor Union partners.  Many of the jobs impacted by smart grid energy efficiency initiatives are occupations that have significant labor participation: electricians, carpenters, sheet metal workers, HVAC, and transportation workers.  The Center enjoys the support of the major Labor Unions in the Midwest region as well as the umbrella organizations that represent them, including the AFL-CIO, the Chicago Federation of Labor and the Chicago and Cook County Building and Construction Trades Council.