10 of 10 Connecticut Residents Find Successful Career Paths in Energy Efficiency

Earlier this week, 10 Connecticut residents were celebrated for their dedication to the energy efficiency industry, which they showed by completing a 12-week training program complete with a paid work experience program.

These residents are the first group of 10 who participated in the Efficiency For All (EFA)’s workforce training program, which totals 12 weeks and includes 6 weeks of classroom and hands-on training, and 6 weeks of a paid work experience internship program. EFA’s workforce training program is supported by the state of Connecticut with the goal of developing an energy-efficient workforce.

Our nation is facing a shortage of skilled workers to serve in our clean energy plans and support our state climate, health, and energy equity goals. As Connecticut works to close energy equity gaps, EFA, the State of Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategies, and Capital Workforce Partners worked together to create this fast-track, hands-on approach to career readiness.

As a result, 10 trainees completed seven nationally recognized certifications and paid work experience at Connecticut minority-owned contractors. “I learned so much in 12 weeks,” says program graduate Jawon. “I feel like a new person with new goals and new ways to reach my goals.” The partnering contractors served as mentors and came to the table to collaborate on developing career paths that pay living wages, offer benefits, and provide lifelong growth opportunities.

“There is no better way to lift a person to prosperity, and open the doors for family success, than to provide a stable career path that pays well, has benefits, and serves a deeper purpose,” said Leticia Colon de Mejias, co-chair of EFA and Policy Co-Chair of the Building Performance Association’s Board of Directors. “By connecting participants to the training, certificates, life skills, transportation, and connecting them to long-term careers, we have helped offer opportunities for building long-term wealth.”

During this week’s celebration, held in the town of Windsor, Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont celebrated the 10 out of 10 employment placements in energy efficiency workforce programs. “Show me what works, that is what I asked of my state department heads,” said Governor Lamont. “Today we are seeing just that: a program with 100% completion rates that resulted in full-time careers for every participant!”

Program graduates are from the following Connecticut towns: Hartford, Windsor, Waterbury, Wallingford, Manchester, Plainville, Branford, and Manchester.

They received employment in the following towns: Windsor, Stratford, Fairfield, Wallingford, Watertown, and New Britain.

Employer partnerships included: Bright Solutions, CMC Energy Services, EES Go Green, Energy Management Authority, Home Comfort Practice, Harisi Energy, New England Smart Energy, Tallento Energy, Potential Energy, Capital Workforce Partners, Eversource, United Illuminating, and the CT Office of Workforce Strategies.

Learn more about the EFA workforce program here.