The Pivotal Role of the Building Trades in Illinois’ Clean Energy Transition
Illinois’ building trades are playing a central role in the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy. They bring the skills needed to construct and maintain every kind of energy system. At the same time, they uphold labor standards that make these jobs good jobs.
That’s why the Climate Jobs Institute focused on the Illinois building trades in one of our first studies of the clean energy workforce. We wanted to understand their perspectives on how to create and sustain high-quality jobs while building out the state’s clean energy infrastructure.
The Research: Listening to the Trades
Between fall 2024 and spring 2025, researchers from the Climate Jobs Institute conducted a statewide study with assistance from Professor Robert Bruno, Director of the Labor Education Program.
We held focus groups and interviews with union leaders and trainers from seven major trades: Carpenters, Electricians, Laborers, Operating Engineers, Pipe Trades, Iron Workers, and Heat and Frost Insulators. In total, we spoke with 27 union representatives from across Illinois.
This report reflects what we heard from them — their experiences, concerns, and priorities for the clean energy transition.
What We Heard: Continuity and Change
The building trades are no strangers to technological change. They have organized themselves to make stable careers out of ever-changing construction work. Their involvement in clean energy continues this tradition even as the building trades adapt to new technologies and challenges.
Clean Energy is Growing in Importance
All the trades we studied are actively involved in clean energy projects, from solar and wind to energy efficiency and EV infrastructure. While clean energy currently makes up a small share of total work hours, it has grown in importance. Clean energy projects expand opportunities for union apprentices and add to work available for journey-level members — particularly in rural areas.
Training for Lifelong Careers
Unions are updating their training programs to include clean energy skills. But rather than narrow specialization, they emphasize broad, foundational training that prepares workers for stable careers across sectors.
Labor Standards Protect Job Quality
Strong labor provisions in laws like the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act — including prevailing wage requirements and project labor agreements — have helped unions secure clean energy work. However, union representatives raised concerns with enforcement, for instance, non-union contractors paying lower wages than required or reported to the state.
A Transition That Supports Workers
Union leaders broadly support clean energy expansion, especially when it creates good jobs. At the same time, they voiced caution about timelines that could phase out fossil fuel-related work before adequate support and planning are in place for affected workers.
Equity Efforts: Progress and Barriers
Unions are working to diversify their membership through outreach and pre-apprenticeship programs. Yet barriers such as transportation, childcare, and background checks continue to limit access. While pre-apprenticeships can open doors, leaders emphasized the need for clear pathways and support to help underrepresented workers succeed in the trades.
Policy Recommendations: Building a Just Transition
To ensure that clean energy creates high-road union jobs, the report recommends:
Strengthen Labor Standards and Enforcement
Embed robust labor protections in all clean energy legislation and increase enforcement capacity, particularly at the Illinois Department of Labor.
Invest in Workforce Access and Support
Expand partnerships between pre-apprenticeship programs and unions. Provide wraparound services to help underrepresented workers succeed and stay in the trades.
Streamline Project Implementation
Address delays in permitting and interconnection to maintain job pipelines and support workforce planning.
Sustain State Investment in Clean Energy
Stabilize funding through consistent state investment to offset federal volatility and support long-term training and workforce development.
By the Numbers: Union Labor in Illinois Clean Energy Construction
The scale and growth of Illinois’ union construction workforce reflect its critical role in building clean energy infrastructure. These numbers offer a snapshot of the workforce’s reach, readiness, and momentum:
- 80,000 unionized construction workers across Illinois
- 16,800 active apprentices in Illinois union construction trades
- 59% growth in construction apprenticeships since 2015
- 2.4% – 17% of total journey person hours are currently dedicated to clean energy work, depending on trade and location
- 100% of trades reported involvement in multiple clean energy sectors
Conclusion: A Transition That Works for Workers
Illinois’ building trades are not just adapting to clean energy — they are helping build it. Their dual role — supplying a skilled workforce and raising job quality — makes them indispensable pillars of the transition. With the right policies and support, they can ensure that clean energy delivers stable, high-quality careers for the next generation.
Dig Deeper
The Pivotal Role of the Building Trades in Illinois’ Clean Energy Transition
November 19, 2025
During the webinar, researchers from the Climate Jobs Institute shared findings from our new statewide study of Illinois’ building trades, based on focus groups and interviews with union leaders. We also heard from labor partners about how unions are navigating technological change, maintaining job quality, and preparing workers for opportunities in the clean energy transition.