Climate Apprenticeships
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The goal of Climate Apprenticeships is to make it easy to learn about the world of apprenticeships green, clean energy, and climate careers. This is a service of Green Jobs Network, which has been serving job seekers since 2008
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Apprenticeship Overview
Apprenticeship is a workforce development strategy that trains a worker for a specific occupation using a structured combination of paid on-the-job training and related instruction. Apprenticeship is one of the oldest forms of training.
The largest federal role in supporting apprenticeships is the administration of the registered apprenticeship system, which dates back to 1937 with the passage of the Fitzgerald Act (known as the National Apprenticeship Act).
In this system, the federal Department of Labor (DOL) or a DOL-recognized state apprenticeship agency (SAA) is responsible for evaluating apprenticeship programs to determine if they are in compliance with federal regulations related to program design, worker protections, and other criteria. Programs that are in compliance are "registered" and apprentices who complete a registered program receive a nationally recognized credential.
Apprenticeship is limited to skilled occupations and trades that meet basic criteria. Apprenticeable occupations are: 1) customarily learned in a practical way through a structured, systematic program of on-the-job supervised training supplemented by related technical instruction; 2) clearly identified and commonly recognized throughout an industry; and 3) involve the acquisition of manual or technical skills and knowledge. There are currently over 950 occupations that have been recognized as apprenticeable, and occupations are continually being added to the list.
Registered apprenticeship programs represent an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.
According to the US Department of Labor 94 percent of apprentices who complete an registered apprenticeship program retain employment, with an average annual salary of $80,000.
Download this fact sheet for an overview of registered apprenticeship programs.
Registered apprenticeship programs can serve as a valuable pathway for those seeking clean energy and climate careers, and for employers seeking to build their workforce. In 2023, there were 23,949 registered apprentices in the energy industry, a 44 percent increase over the past 5 years.
This website features resources for job seekers and employers who are interested in exploring apprenticeships. If you have suggestions for additional resources contact us at hello@greenjobs.net
Find Apprenticeships
More coming soon!
Resources from the U.S. Departmnet of Labor to find apprenticeship jobs and programs.
Discover apprenticeship programs.
Learn about clean energy apprenticeship programs.
Find apprenticeship offices nationwide.
Build California provides resources for the construction workforce and includes information on 250+ apprenticeship and college programs.
Includes a searchable directory of registered apprenticeship programs across the state.
DWR offers a paid apprenticeship program that can lead to a fulfilling and lucrative career in the hydroelectric industry. The next application period will be in Spring 2025
For Employers
Apprenticeships Benefit Employers
Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are a proven solution for recruiting, training, and retaining world-class energy talent. In 2023, there were 23,949 registered apprentices in the energy industry, a 44 percent increase over the past 5 years.
For employers who invest in RAPs, the average return on investment is $1.47 for every $1 invested in an apprentice. RAPs strengthen workers’ trade skills and knowledge, which increases an organization’s productivity.
RAPs also reduce worker turnover. The three-year retention rate for registered apprentices is 89%. RAPs reduce recruiting costs for companies by building a pipeline of skilled workers to complete clean energy projects.
Companies can enhance diversity and inclusion in their workforce by recruiting from historically underrepresented groups into RAPs. Fostering diversity within an organization can help groups tackle problems creatively by bringing together people with a range of experiences.
RAPs are educational programs, so companies can teach how they value diversity and address issues like harassment early on. This can help workers from historically underrepresented groups feel welcome, increasing representation and retention of historically underrepresented workers.
How to Get Started
If you are a clean enery, green, or climate employer that is interested in offfering an apprenticeship there are organizations and resources that can assist you. These include:
- Interstate Renewable Energy Council - Provides free technical assistance and financial incentives to help clean energy and energy efficiency employers set up or join Registered Apprenticeship programs. Resources include the Apprenticeships in Clean Energy Network and Registered Apprenticeships Toolkit for Clean Energy Employers.
- Apprenticeship.gov - Contains many resources, including this collection for energy employers.
- US Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeships
Registered Apprenticeship Learning Lunch Series
IREC's Apprenticeships in Clean Energy Network (ACE Network) and the Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation (IWSI America) will be hosting a yearlong series of free monthly webinars to help employers obtain the knowledge to develop, implement, and manage successful registered apprenticeship programs. You can learn more and register here.
Apprenticeship News
2024 National Apprenticeship Week is November 17 - 23
This year marks the 10th Annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), which will take place from November 17-23!
NAW is a nationwide celebration where employers, apprentices and graduates, industry representatives, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, educational institutions, and Federal, State, and Local government agencies host events to showcase the successes and value of Registered Apprenticeship. Learn more about NAW and explore events here.
Fervo Energy, Southern Utah University, and Elemental Impact Launch Geothermal Apprenticeship Program
Fervo Energy, Southern Utah University, and Elemental Impact recently announced the launch of the first geothermal apprenticeship program in the United States. This program will support oil and gas workers and Southwest Utah residents who are interested in joining the growing enhanced geothermal industry. Learn more in the video below.
Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative Launched with Goal of Training 1 Million Apprentices by 2035
The U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors representing approximately 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population, announced in September the launch of the Governors’ Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative. The goals of this initiative are to grow career pathways in climate and clean energy fields, strengthen workforce diversity, and jointly train 1 million new registered apprentices by 2035 across the Alliance’s states and territories.
You can view a video of this announcement below and learn more here.
Green Jobs Pod Episode on Apprenticeships
To celebrate National Apprenticeship Week, Green Jobs Network released a special episode of the Green Jobs Pod. This episode features an overview of apprenticeships, benefits for job seekers and employers, and resources to learn more. You can listen to this episode on podcast platforms including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Find Green & Climate Jobs
Quick access to career resources and thousands of jobs!
ClimateChangeJobs.com is one of the largest climate job boards, with more than 20,000 opportunities. It also features the Climate Career Hub, with links to a variety of career resources. Click here to search for jobs now!
Greenjobsearch.org is the green jobs board from Green Jobs Network, serving employers and job seekrs for more than a decade. Click here to search for jobs now!
AI Tools for Your Climate Job Search
Green Jobs Network provides climate job seekers with free access to a suite of AI-powered career services at ClimateJobs.AI.
Services include:
- Robin, Your AI Climate Career Coach. You can have interactive chats with Robin and receive job search advice.
- Create Cover Letters. You can quickly receive a personalized cover letter based on the job, your experience, and the hiring organization.
- Resume Feedback. You can use ClimateJobsGPT to upload your resume and receive suggestions.
- Interview Preparation. Generate a list of questions you may be asked in a job interview and suggestions for how to answer them.
- Job Ideas + Employer Leads. Discover potential employers and types of jobs in sustainability and climate that match your skills.
Learn more at https://climatejobs.ai
Explore Career Pathways
This section includes resources to explore green, clean energy, and climate-focused jobs and occupations.
Career Pathways (from MassCEC)
Contact Us
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