PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) — The Minority Business Development Center hosted a Solar Energy Job Fair at Illinois Central College in Peoria on Monday.
The event provides opportunities to seek employment in the fast-growing solar energy job market. Attendees learned about the opportunities available, and certain grants that can be provided.
The event also helped local contractors who are interested in solar energy and what opportunities are available to them. ICC representatives were there to speak about the Illinois Central College Solar Pipeline training program and how they could sign up and get involved.
Denise Moore, the CEO of the Minority Business Development Center and the Black Business Alliance said this event helps bridge the gap for those seeking jobs and those looking for workers.
“Many of those who are already in solar are looking for workers,” she said. “There are lots of companies here in the area, Bloomington area, in the central area of our region, who are putting solar panels on people’s homes, their businesses, setting up solar arrays on ten or 20 acres of property. And they don’t have enough people to help do that work.”
Local contractors were at the event ready to talk to those interested in employment. Some attendees might even walk out with a job.
“Well, some of the ones that are in this room behind me are taking away a job,” said Moore. “That is huge. That at the end of the day, workforce employment makes the whole world go round. ”
Moore said this is an important program not only for those seeking jobs but for Central Illinois as a whole.
“This should be important to anybody who is interested in not only saving the planet, but making money at the end of the day,” she said. “The bottom line is people want to feed their families. People want to grow the community. We definitely want to grow the community here in Peoria and in Bloomington. And this is a way to do that. “
Solar energy is growing in Central Illinois, with more than 700 installations covering the area.
