Aurora Approves Leases for New Green Jobs Training Hub

The city's CEJA Workforce Development Hub will offer programs in clean energy and construction from the College of DuPage and 548 Foundation.

Jan. 29, 2026 at 3:31pm

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The Aurora City Council has approved leases with the College of DuPage and the 548 Foundation to operate workforce development programs focused on green energy jobs at the city's new CEJA Workforce Development Hub. The hub will provide training in fields like solar installation, energy auditing, and HVAC work, as well as construction and first-year apprenticeship programs.

Why it matters

The new workforce development hub is part of Aurora's efforts to prepare residents for jobs in the growing green economy. The Illinois Climate and Equitable Jobs Act designated Aurora as one of 13 statewide locations to host such a training center, which will help address local employer needs while also aligning with union priorities around climate-focused work.

The details

The hub will be housed in a city-owned building that previously housed the water and sewer division. It will feature a 'living laboratory' classroom space where students can work on HVAC systems and building insulation. The College of DuPage will run a 7-week entry-level CEJA Bridge Program, while the 548 Foundation will offer a training program that prepares graduates to become first-year apprentices with the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council.

  • The Aurora City Council approved the leases on January 29, 2026.
  • The leases will go into effect on February 1, 2026.

The players

College of DuPage

A community college that will run workforce development programs focused on meeting the needs of local employers in green energy fields.

548 Foundation

A nonprofit organization that will offer training programs to prepare students for first-year apprenticeships in construction and solar power with the Mid-America Carpenters Regional Council.

John Laesch

The Mayor of Aurora, who campaigned on bringing green jobs to the city and spoke about partnering with the new CEJA Workforce Hub during his inauguration speech.

Callie Matheny

The director of the Aurora CEJA Workforce Hub at the College of DuPage.

AJ Patton

The founder of the 548 Foundation, which will offer a training program that includes $500 weekly stipends for students.

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What they’re saying

“It was a 'game changer' to have a place where students, staff and all of the program's stuff can be in a single place.”

— Callie Matheny, Director of the Aurora CEJA Workforce Hub, College of DuPage (chicagotribune.com)

“Our program offers $500 weekly stipends to its students to 'earn while you learn,' helping to carry them through the training.”

— AJ Patton, Founder, 548 Foundation (chicagotribune.com)

What’s next

The city is actively looking for additional partners to expand the CEJA Workforce Development Hub, and is also exploring a Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing program to encourage the creation of green jobs that could be filled by graduates of the new center.

The takeaway

Aurora's new CEJA Workforce Development Hub represents the city's commitment to preparing residents for jobs in the growing green economy, providing training programs that align with both employer needs and union priorities around climate-focused work.