CEE Workforce Development Program honored for "Inspiring Efficiency"
The Workforce Development Program, provided by Xcel Energy and CenterPoint Energy and delivered through Center for Energy and Environment’s (CEE), was recently awarded the Inspiring Efficiency Education Award presented by Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance. This award highlights an effort to raise awareness and promote learning energy efficiency and building science principles, while also creating opportunities to train and expand the energy efficiency workforce.
The purpose of this Workforce Development Program is to recruit, train, and retain Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latino, people of color, and women in the energy efficiency sector, providing additional workforce to deliver services that represent traditionally underserved markets. Without intervention, trends indicate women account for 27.67% of the clean energy workforce and people of color account for 33.6% of the workforce.
“Our Workforce Development Program is striving to make a dent in workforce inequities that exist in our sector. With funding from Xcel Energy, we’ve been able to take a vision and turn it into a reality. This program’s success is a reflection not only of the high-quality instructors we have but also the strength of our partnerships with community-based organizations and cities. We could not do this work on our own. Our community-based partners provide critical support and have a wealth of knowledge in working with individuals who are facing obstacles to their career related to housing, justice involvement, or transportation.” said Sarah Northrup, CEE’s Workforce Program Manager
Xcel Energy awarded CEE $3.8 million over the 2021–2023 triennial to launch the Workforce Development Program. Since the program’s launch in March 2022, this equity-focused Workforce Development Program has expanded rapidly. The program provides a holistic four-week paid home energy career training with skilled home energy auditors as instructors. Successful participants earn Building Science Principles certification from the Building Performance Institute, while focusing on career development topics such as job interviews, resume writing, and goal setting. Since 2022, nearly 100 participants have completed training and 98% of those participants earned Building Science Principles certification.
“Through the Workforce Development and Education Program with CEE, we are able to recruit, train, and retain an energy efficiency workforce that more fully reflects the diversity of our communities,” said Mark Schoenheider, Manager of Customer Energy Programs at Xcel Energy. “This program allows us to advance energy efficiency and equity at the same time, while serving a greater number of income-qualified customers with energy options that achieve our conservation goals.”
The program is based on an earn-and-learn workforce development model that effectively trains new entrants making career transitions. Thanks to a $2,500 stipend during the four-week training plus a wage of $18 per hour during an optional follow-up internship, participants can more readily focus on the content they are learning and see themselves sustaining a career in this sector.
To make the program possible, CEE and the utilities partner with many community organizations. In addition to lead funder Xcel Energy, CenterPoint Energy also provided program funding. Several community partners geared toward economic development, workforce training, and social services offer financial coaching as well as wraparound support services and employment navigation during and after the training.
“CenterPoint Energy is proud to support this program to help diversify and build the talent pipeline for the energy efficiency workforce in Minnesota,” said Brad Steber, Vice President of Minnesota Gas Operations. “We have a longstanding commitment to our energy efficiency programs in the state and recognize the importance of attracting and retaining a qualified workforce to address this growing demand.”
“CAPI USA is immensely grateful for our partnership with Center for Environment and Energy (CEE). CAPI has been partnering with CEE since 2022 to provide training toward Green Industry Pathways to the Minneapolis community. CEE’s knowledge and expertise in this area has made it possible to help many individuals from diverse communities gain both the knowledge and skills necessary to work in a greener world today. CAPI is eager to continue making change in our communities with ongoing collaboration with CEE,” said Jesse Osvold, Career Pathways Manager at CAPI USA.
In addition to CAPI USA, Ujamaa Place, MIGIZI, Urban Roots, and others help ensure that training practices are culturally appropriate, and the curriculum and communications are easy to comprehend. Sabathani Community Center, the City of Minneapolis, and the City of Bloomington have each provided vital training spaces.
“As a host site for the Workforce Development Program, CAPRW has assisted with the training and development of several individuals that are now prepared to start their careers in weatherization and energy efficiency. CAPRW has hired three individuals from this program: two energy auditors and one apprentice carpenter. CAPRW is happy to be involved in this program and will continue to support CEE with the development and implementation of the program,” said Jeremy Taylor, Quality Assurance Manager at CAPRW.
To learn more about the Workforce Development Program, visit mncee.org/career-training.
To see the full list of winner of MEEA 2024 Inspiring Efficiency Award winners, visit MEEA's official website here.
About CEE
Center for Energy and Environment is a 501(c)(3) clean energy nonprofit with special expertise in energy efficiency that stretches back 40 years. Complementary focus areas include technical research, program development and implementation, community engagement, policy advocacy, and project financing. Working across homes, businesses, and communities, CEE discovers and deploys the most effective energy solutions to strengthen our economy and improve our environment.
Media Contact
Tim Hanrahan, thanrahan@mncee.org, 612-244-2419