Millions of Americans work on the energy infrastructure that powers the U.S. and in the buildings that power our economy. Through the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Workforce Development, find resources, information, and other materials to help you address your workforce needs and take the next step toward an impactful career in energy efficiency.
The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) offers industry-leading professional training for solar photovoltaics. MREA courses are accredited by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and meet the educational requirements for credentialing by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Whether you want to start a career in the renewable energy field, maintain a credential, or install solar on your home, MREA has a variety of courses to advance your skills, both online and in-person.
The National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) provides the base-level skill set needed for entry-level workers to properly construct, inspect and maintain green stormwater infrastructure. Designed to meet international best practice standards, NGICP is a tool that can be used for professional development and as part of a larger workforce development to provide candidates with the technical skills necessary to enter the green workforce.
The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewarage District is participating in the program to help Milwaukee grow its green workforce by providing community members with the skills to design, install, and maintain green infrastructure while earning a livable wage.
The Green Buildings Career Map is an interactive tool that explores an industry exploding with job opportunities across four major sectors of the green buildings and energy efficiency industry. The map also includes a section on “New-Collar” jobs—those that don’t require a traditional four-year degree, but rather rely on gaining skills through on-the-job training, high school technical education, on-the-job apprenticeships, vocational schools, technical certification programs, community colleges, the military, and internships.
Use the Solar Career Map to explore 40 jobs across four industry sectors. The map was developed by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). As National Administrator of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Instructor Training Network, IREC works with solar and workforce experts around the country—leaders from education, government, business, labor, and community—to produce this highly-acclaimed interactive tool.