Recap: ComEd CONSTRUCT Youth Academy Spring Break Program
With spring comes continued opportunities for growth and development! The YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago was excited to host the inaugural ComEd CONSTRUCT Youth Academy Spring Break Program, open to past ComEd CONSTRUCT participants.
From March 25 through 27, 19 dedicated students joined us at the South Side YMCA to further their training, knowledge, and skills for field roles requiring physical aptitude. Not only did participants gain hands-on practice for various construction systems and processes, but they also improved their career readiness and prepared for future employment opportunities.
“By partnering with ComEd to expose youth to careers in the energy sector, we are not just shaping their futures, we are fostering a passion for innovation, sustainability, and leadership,” said Agneis Schultz, Vice President of Community Innovation & Impact, YMCA of Metro Chicago.
Activities included resume building and interview skill development, safety discussion and briefing, engagement with YMCA leadership, exploration of current opportunities within the Y and ComEd, and much more!
“Watching the students go from uncertainty about what to expect from ComEd to eagerly pursuing employment opportunities within the company has been truly inspiring,” said Michelle Contreras, Program Impact Manager, YMCA of Metro Chicago. “I believe any student with the chance to join this program should seize it, even if the energy sector isn’t their ultimate career goal. It offers a valuable learning experience that will benefit them in many ways.”
Read what some of our students had to say about the ComEd CONSTRUCT Spring Break Program:
“This Program has really narrowed my choices down on what I want to do at ComEd. I am grateful for the opportunity to boost myself in the company and work my way up to the top. This opportunity is helping me move forward”
- Gabriel G.
“I am incredibly grateful for this program, not only for the people within it but overall for the doors this can open. The opportunities this youth program has, have allowed me to see and pursue a career path that I otherwise would be clueless to. I am in this program because I am genuinely interested in what I am being taught, and because I see the potential that this program has.”
- Ulysses V.
Interested in building toward a trade career? The YMCA of Metro Chicago is once again partnering with ComEd to host its ComEd CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Youth Academy. We are now accepting applications for our 2025 summer cohorts! Our first cohort takes place at the South Side YMCA from June 10 to 26, and our second cohorts take place at the Kelly Hall YMCA and Rauner Family YMCA from July 8 to 24.
Submit an application today or learn more about the program via the ComEd CONSTRUCT website page.