Laticia Holbert of ComEd: Empowering Talent Today for Tomorrow's Grid

Laticia Holbert

Senior Manager of Workforce Development

ComEd

Meet Laticia Holbert, Senior Manager of Workforce Development at ComEd, Illinois' largest electric utility company. Her work is fueled by a deep commitment to lifelong learning and an unwavering passion for empowering individuals. Continue reading to learn how Laticia and her tenacious team partner with various organizations to build a talent pipeline for the clean energy jobs of the future.

What is your role at ComEd?

It is my honor and pleasure to serve as the Senior Manager for Workforce Development, where I oversee strategy and logistics for workforce development, as well as youth and adult programming. 

What was your first job?

My first full-time position after college was a Faculty Coordinator for DeVry University and Keller Graduate School of Management. Initially, I saw it as just a post-college job, but this role proved to be incredibly impactful, fundamentally shaping my career path. It was here that I discovered a deep passion for working with people, a realization that propelled me into a new chapter as an adjunct professor, a role that continues to bring me great satisfaction.

Many people desire a seat at the table, and I recognized early on the importance of preparing myself for that opportunity.

Who have been your primary mentors while progressing in your career?

Throughout my career, I've been fortunate to have many individuals offer invaluable mentorship, sponsorship, and advocacy. These relationships have been crucial, providing essential support and guidance that has profoundly impacted my professional journey.

My time at the YWCA Metro Chicago was profoundly shaped by the organization's CEO, Dorri McWhorter. Being on her team as she led the YWCA and advocated fiercely for Chicago and its mission of empowering women and advocating for children was truly inspiring. Witnessing her navigate those complex spaces transformed our friendship into a powerful mentorship. She is a true change-maker, and her wisdom, as well as the opportunities she created, have left an indelible mark on me. I'm incredibly grateful for her impact.

Over the years, I have also developed relationships with mentors in the energy sector. After my time at the YWCA, I joined Intren, a utility contractor. There, I had a truly invaluable mentor named Matt Turk. Matt was instrumental in helping me understand the intricate energy landscape. As a business developer at Intren, I gained deep insights into ComEd and our parent company, Exelon.

What have been the keys to your success?

I've come to realize that a defining characteristic of mine is the relentless pursuit of self-improvement. I actively seek out my blind spots, and once identified, I immediately work to champion those areas, striving to do better and be better. Many people desire a seat at the table, and I recognized early on the importance of preparing myself for that opportunity. I dedicated time and effort to ensure I had the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively voice my perspective as I navigated various professional spaces. I believe this proactive approach is crucial.

Another key to my success has been collaboration. I genuinely wouldn't have reached this point without the support and input of others. The time I spent with mentors was invaluable in helping me understand where I needed to grow. Ultimately, I believe the biggest keys to success are continuously asking the right questions and truly listening to the answers. It's essential to never stop learning and seeking out those insights.

What's it like to work at ComEd? What makes it special or unique?

I love my work at ComEd because I'm in a unique position to drive positive change in people's lives. I'm deeply grateful to ComEd for its commitment to the community. As one of the largest utilities in the Midwest, ComEd provides energy to over 9 million people across Northern Illinois, including here in Chicago. This is all thanks to our team of around 6,600 dedicated employees, a workforce that truly mirrors the diverse communities we serve. Nearly half of our employees are skilled union members, and a significant portion of our leadership roles are held by women and people of color. 

What is ComEd hoping to achieve in the next few years?

We're all seeing the impact of severe weather, climate change, and our evolving energy demands. ComEd is dedicated to building a local, skilled, and diverse talent pipeline. Building this pipeline is crucial for both modernizing and maintaining our energy grid. It has been estimated that at least 150,000 new clean energy jobs will come to Illinois by 2050 to support this transition. Workforce development is right at the heart of this effort. We work tirelessly with our community partners to ensure we're finding and preparing individuals for these critical roles.

How do workforce development programs contribute to ComEd's talent pipeline and long-term workforce strategy?

Our workforce development strategy is built on four key pillars: building talent pipelines, removing barriers, hiring local talent, and growing partnerships. When we're working to do our best for the communities we serve, these four principles are always at the forefront of our approach.

In 2024, ComEd training and STEM education programs collectively reached 2,400 adults and youth across the region and are helping more local residents break into careers in the clean energy sector each year.

We recently celebrated a milestone of 1,000 local residents served by ComEd Academy programs, which are specifically designed to grow the pool of qualified, diverse job candidates and ultimately place them at entry-level jobs in the industry. This is done by providing participants the opportunity to earn industry-required certifications and receive testing preparation and hands-on experience.

This isn't just about hiring for ComEd; it's about upskilling individuals within our communities, a fundamental principle of our work.

Since 2013, these Academy programs have placed more than 70 percent of participants in entry-level positions across ComEd and partner employers.

In addition, as part of ComEd’s plan to expand our trades workforce while connecting interested candidates to family-sustaining careers, ComEd has continued to expand hiring to fill critical trades roles, with 135 new craft hires onboarded last year alone. This brought hiring of new entry-level trades jobs to more than 1,000 since a 2018 agreement was signed with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 15.

Why is it important for ComEd to invest in workforce development beyond traditional hiring and training models?

Workforce development at ComEd is deeply rooted in our commitment to the communities we serve. Our primary goal is to ensure we're providing opportunities that lead to family-sustaining wages. This isn't just about hiring for ComEd; it's about upskilling individuals within our communities, a fundamental principle of our work. We aim to serve everyone as best as we can, especially now that there is a renewed interest in skilled trades as many people explore alternatives to traditional college routes.

How have you partnered with workforce development service providers? What role do they play in your organization’s initiatives?

We couldn't do this vital work without our incredible partners. While ComEd provides the funding, we rely on a network of workforce agencies to source talent. We partner with numerous workforce organizations like Revolution Workshop, Chicago Urban League, Cara Collective, National Latino Education Institute, YMCA, Goodwill, and many more. These partners are essential for their expertise in career development, teaching participants the nuances of job applications and professional growth.

Our partners aren't just here to do the work; they're here to be part of a life-changing interaction. 

Meanwhile, ComEd takes the lead on curriculum development and program delivery, ensuring a hands-on and deliberate approach. We cover the vital technical aspects, with our subject matter experts and leadership connecting the dots to instill the specific core skills essential for our industry. This collaborative approach ensures our partnerships are truly aligned.

We're very deliberate in selecting our partners. Because our programs are so in-depth, building these partnerships is a thorough process, often taking one to two years. We look for robust workforce partners who have a proven track record, demonstrate excellence in their field, and possess a strong reputation within the community.

Our community partners are expertly skilled in delivering in-depth, transformational experiences on a level that we simply cannot achieve on our own. These organizations provide one-on-one coaching and support tailored to meet the dynamic needs of participants. They specialize in providing wraparound services like financial literacy, social and emotional learning, and more. That's the uniqueness of those organizations. They bring care and specialized attention to the experience. Our partners aren't just here to do the work; they're here to be part of a life-changing interaction.

Can you tell me more about the workforce development programs at ComEd?

In 2023, we launched three new programs to ensure that we are prepared for the tens of thousands of clean energy jobs that we know are coming. To meet this demand, we are expanding how we look at talent, from engineering to administrative roles. Our senior leaders recognize the power and value of workforce development programs and are committed to creating opportunities throughout our service territory. 

Take Charge: EV Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a career training initiative, launched in conjunction with HIRE360, that is aimed at preparing individuals for career opportunities being created by the exponential adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). The program teaches the skills needed for jobs that will support the transition to carbon-free transportation. 

We partnered with the YMCA of Metropolitan Chicago and Goodwill of Greater Milwaukee & Chicago to launch CONSTRUCT Youth Academy, a youth version of a similar program for adults. This program is geared towards fostering interest in clean energy career opportunities among rising high school juniors and seniors. 

What's truly exciting is how these student connections often blossom into broader family engagement, with many inspiring instances of parents joining our workforce programs after their child participated.

Finally, Power Up Academy is a first-of-its-kind technical training program designed to expand opportunities for in-demand technical roles without requiring a college degree. This program places graduates on a path to earning engineering-related degrees, should they choose to pursue higher education, to support their future career development.

What role does ComEd see itself playing in helping high school students from underserved communities access meaningful career paths?

Our commitment to underserved communities drives us to connect directly with students and families. We intentionally attend career fairs and school events, collaborating closely with school districts to highlight our numerous youth programs. What's truly exciting is how these student connections often blossom into broader family engagement, with many inspiring instances of parents joining our workforce programs after their child participated.

What motivates ComEd to engage directly with high school students and teachers rather than waiting until young people are in college or job training?

We're deeply engaged in our communities to spark early interest in the energy field. We know that effective outreach means that we need to present messages to children early and often. Our training and education programs are designed to build awareness over time, starting with STEM programs for younger children that expose them to the diverse skills needed for these careers. We then continue to build this awareness through programs for teens and youth, connecting those skills directly to career opportunities.

Can you tell me about success stories from participants in CONSTRUCT Youth Academy or similar programs?

We're proud of our many success stories, showcasing the long-lasting, generational benefits of our programs. For instance, a participant from the very first CONSTRUCT Infrastructure Academy program for adults was hired by ComEd. Years later, his daughter completed the same program and joined him in the same role; they now work side-by-side. Several other family members have since completed the program and also joined ComEd, illustrating our profound impact. Another success story is Kala Wheeler, who now works with our ComEd engineering team after graduating from Power Up Academy. We also have a participant who completed a program nine years ago, gained experience with two of our corporate partners, and has since joined the ComEd team. 

We have countless success stories, and these programs consistently bring great talent to our organization. We're not just running programs; we're actively bringing exceptional individuals into ComEd. I could go on and on, but it's truly rewarding to see the wonderful people I've met over the past 13 years thriving in our hallways.

Is there anything in particular that you wish more employers understood about the value of talent development?

Employers should prioritize attending career fairs, especially those hosted by community organizations and schools. The value is immense. We consistently participate, and I'm always thrilled to have those "needle in a haystack" moments, where I see someone I spoke with at a table later thrive in one of our programs. These experiences powerfully demonstrate the profound impact our presence at hiring events can have. While some organizations might hesitate, consistently engaging in career fairs truly pays dividends over time.

How, if at all, do you believe Chicago employers should contribute to addressing poverty and inequality in Chicago's neighborhoods?

Do the work. ComEd is working to ensure that our teams reflect the diversity of our communities that we serve. We’re providing opportunities. Our job training programs are free of cost, and some even provide a stipend for participants. We’re hiring locally and providing access to lifelong careers and family-sustaining wages. These programs provide graduates with stability and the ability to pursue personal goals and build generational wealth. With so much growth in the industry, we know there’s room at the table for everyone to succeed. 

Why is this work so important to you personally?

I am deeply motivated by the participants who entrust us with their time and commitment. Many make significant sacrifices to join our programs, and I hold this responsibility in high regard. This fuels me to give my absolute best and ensure we deliver tangible value to everyone we serve.

My family is a tremendous inspiration. I come from a long line of change-makers, including my great-cousin, Daisy Bates, a civil rights leader and organizer of the Little Rock Nine. Both of my grandmothers were community pillars. I watched intently as they both worked tirelessly to help others. Their examples shaped my character and my heart. My parents, husband and children are the fuel that keep me going. 

My journey also continues to motivate me. When I started as a faculty coordinator at DeVry University,  I had no idea the dividends that experience would pay out throughout my life. It set me on a fantastic career path that continues to bring me joy, allowing me to witness and contribute to momentous occasions in others' lives. It is truly my pleasure to be of service.

Interviewed by Austin Morales-Sanchez on May 27, 2025 | Written by Misha Williams