Elevate Launches Its First Young Adult Clean Energy Workforce Training Program in Partnership with Cultivate Collective, Sesenergi Eco Solutions

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – Today, Elevate announced the launch of an inaugural Young Adult Clean Energy Training Program in Chicago’s LeClaire Courts neighborhood in partnership with Cultivate Collective, Sesenergi Eco Solutions, and Priority Consulting & Services. The ten-week program aims to equip ten participants aged 18-24 from the community with the skills they need to succeed in the fast-growing solar industry by pairing a robust training curriculum with personalized case management and holistic support.  

“We’re excited to collaborate with Cultivate Collective, Sesenergi, and Priority Consulting & Services to launch this first young adult solar photovoltaic training program in LeClaire Courts,” says Dr. Anne Evens, CEO of Elevate. “This collaboration is not only about training, it’s about opening doors. Together, we’re equipping local young adults with the skills, confidence, and connections they need to thrive in the growing clean energy sector.” 

The fall 2025 cohort will be hosted at the educational non-profit Cultivate Collective’s 6-acre site in their state-of-the-art geodesic domes, with immersive hands-on learning led by experts in an environment that encourages curiosity and collaboration. The campus—designed to foster sustainability, innovation, and community resilience—provides an ideal backdrop for cultivating the next generation of clean energy leaders. 

“Cultivate Collective is proud to partner with Elevate to bring urgently needed career training to our communities in Chicago,” shares Kris De La Torre, Cultivate Collective’s Managing Director. “A key part of Cultivate’s foundational commitment to economic vitality includes providing relevant, engaging programs to support green workforce development within southwest Chicago. This partnership with Elevate is an intentional effort to better prepare the next generation of Black and Brown leaders for a thriving career in the growing clean energy industry.” 

Dedicated to preparing individuals for careers in the clean energy sector, Sesenergi will lead the training for the cohort and will empower participants with both the theoretical understanding and practical expertise required to thrive in the renewable energy industry.  

Participants will graduate with the technical skills and industry-recognized credentials they need to begin careers in the solar industry, but the curriculum also emphasizes communication, team building, and problem-solving. This holistic approach aims to prepare participants not only for immediate employment, but also for long-term success in the workforce. 

“We see Sesenergi’s participation in this partnership with Elevate, Cultivate Collective and Priority Consulting & Services as a mandate to ensure that BIPOC communities are not only involved in the energy industry, but are the leaders and implementers of what the world needs to survive and thrive throughout the rest of the 21st century and beyond,” adds Sesenegi Eco Solutions Enterprise’s CEO, Senyo Ador. “It is imperative that our communities, who have historically been left out of the process of designing, producing and harnessing the means to their basic needs, be at the forefront of clean and renewable technologies such as solar energy. Whether we realize it or not, we are at the precipice of a new age of how everyday people are going to live everyday lives, so why shouldn’t our young adults be the ones to lead the way? That’s why we’re in this to win this!” 

Priority Consulting & Services (PCS) will provide personalized case management support for program participants. This team of educators, social workers, and therapists are committed to addressing barriers that can hinder personal and professional growth by connecting participants with critical resources and support systems.   

Strong partnerships, as represented by initiatives like this, combine resources, expertise, and community relationships to drive sustainable change in communities. By working together, organizations can create lasting impact, expand access to opportunity, and drive innovation that reflects the needs and strengths of the people they serve. 

###   

Elevate is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that works nationally and is headquartered in Chicago. Elevate seeks to create a just and equitable world in which everyone has clean and affordable heat, cooling, power, and water in their homes and communities. Our goal is to transform clean energy by expanding its benefits and services while making them more accessible than ever before. We are deploying reliable and affordable clean energy solutions so that every community has access to renewable energy. For more information about Elevate, visit elevatenp.org.    

Cultivate Collective is a Chicago-based community hub and resource center that unites education, wellness, sustainability, and economic vitality to create a resilient, equitable, and vibrant future for all. Located on the southwest side of the city, Cultivate addresses the systemic inequalities that have historically disenfranchised people of color in LeClaire Courts, Garfield Ridge, and surrounding areas of Chicago. For more information about Cultivate Collective, visit cultivate-collective.org. 

Sesenergi Eco Solutions is on a mission to make clean energy accessible, equitable, and transformative. By integrating innovative renewable solutions with workforce development and community engagement, we empower individuals, businesses, and historically underserved communities to take control of their energy future. Our goal is not just to power homes and businesses but to build a more sustainable, inclusive world—one project, one partnership, and one empowered community at a time. For more information about Sesenergi Eco Solutions, visit sesenergillc.com.  

Priority Consulting & Services  is a mission-driven consulting firm dedicated to creating sustainable social and economic impacts through innovative, evidence-based approaches. Our goal is to support the development, implementation, and evaluation of programs and services that respond to community needs. We achieve this by taking an interdisciplinary, community-driven approach to tackle organizational concerns.