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From trailer to state of the art: ComEd's new training center in Rockford

ComEd President and CEO Anne Pramaggiore says there will be two new state-of-the art facilities to train the next generation of utility workers -- and the first one will be in Rockford.

Pramaggiore -- in Rockford for groundbreaking for that facility --  says the second will be in Chicago two years from now. They replace some pretty outdated training centers: Pramaggiore calls the current facility in Rockford a “very basic” “super-trailer” that was built in 1982.

The new $7- to $8-million center has classrooms and meeting spaces, as well as areas where workers are put into realistic situations, such as climbing walls and splicing bays for underground cable work. There also will be a 100-seat auditorium and a customer education center, where ComEd can show off changes to the company made possible by last year’s Energy Infrastructure Modernization Act.

ComEd has pledged to use only local union labor: it’s expected to be finished by December.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 

 

Susan is an award-winning reporter/writer at her favorite radio station. She's also WNIJ's Perspectives editor, Under Rocks contributor, and local host of All Things Considered.