Jumpstart your career in clean energy!
The Technical Trades Work and Learning Program is a unique opportunity that connects students from vocational high schools, After Dark programs, and Career Technical Initiative (CTI) programs with paid, hands-on work experience in the clean energy sector throughout the academic year and into the summer.
This program is now a part of the Clean Energy Internship Program.
Please visit the Clean Energy Internships for Students page for current opportunities in construction, maintenance, and installation careers.
Construction, Maintenance, and Installation Placements: MassCEC shall reserve forty (40) year-round spaces for placements that fall under construction, maintenance, and installation placements as defined below:
High-Performance Building Sector Occupations (for retrofit and new construction): Electricians and Electrical Contractors with in building service upgrade, knob, and tube removal and/or heat pumps; Insulation Workers; Weatherization Crew Chiefs and Supervisors; Energy Auditors; HERS Raters; HVAC/R Technicians with heat pump expertise; Carpenters and Construction Laborers; Hazardous waste removal specialists (especially for asbestos and vermiculite removal); Building Operators/Maintenance Mechanics; Plumbers and Pipefitters; Customer Service Representatives.
Offshore Wind Occupations: Installation, Maintenance and Repair Workers; Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters; Wind Turbine Service Technicians; Metal and Plastic Workers, Assemblers and Fabricators; Customer Service Representatives.
Net Zero Grid Occupations: Electricians and Electrical contractors specializing in solar, battery storage, grid upgrade, or time of use metering; Electric Power Line Installers and Repairers; Customer Service Representatives.
Clean Transportation Sector Occupations: Electricians and Electrical Contractors specializing in vehicle charging infrastructure; Automotive Technicians and Repairers with experience in electric vehicle maintenance or large vehicle retrofit; Logisticians and Fleet Managers; Customer Service Representatives.
Why should you be a Technical Trades participant?
- Gain practical experience in the fast-growing clean energy sector as you kickstart your career.
- Earn while you learn with paid work experience throughout the academic year and into the summer.
- Network with industry professionals and build connections that can boost your future opportunities.
- Enhance your employability and stand out in the clean energy job market.
Employers, would your company like to receive support for hiring a vocational intern?
Program Schedule
The Technical Trades Program spans the entire school year and continues through the following summer. Participants can begin their work experience after the session start date if this arrangement is agreed upon with their Co-Op Coordinator (for high school participants) and the Clean Energy Employer. Non-high school participants will agree upon a work schedule with their Clean Energy Employer.
Process Step |
Timing |
---|---|
Open enrollment and intern selection begin |
Oct 28, 2024 |
Session starts |
Oct 28, 2024 |
Session ends |
Aug 21, 2025 |
Who's Eligible
To participate, you must be one of the following:
- A rising senior currently enrolled in a vocational or technical high school located in Massachusetts and approved by your school's administration to participate in a co-op program
- A high school After Dark student
- A participant in a Career Technical Initiative (CTI) program
- A graduate from any of the above programs who graduated within the last year
- A member of a group of individuals approved for participation by MassCEC
Certain individuals are not eligible to participate in the Program:
- Students who are not in good standing with their school
- Any full-time employee or current intern who has been on payroll for more than 12 weeks at a Host Employer
- Family members of employers or owners of the Host Employer
How to Participate
Register for an account
- For Students Under 18: Your Co-op Coordinator must submit an online application on your behalf. Once the application is submitted, employers will be able to view your profile in the student database and contact your Co-op Coordinator. You must have a profile in this database for employers to confirm your eligibility with MassCEC for the Program. Make sure to ask your Co-op Coordinator to create an account.
- For Students Over 18: Submit an online application directly. Once the application is submitted, employers will be able to view your profile in the student database and contact you. You must have a profile in this database for employers to confirm your eligibility with MassCEC for the Program.
Communicate with clean energy employers
- Be proactive in your job search! Reach out to clean energy employers with whom you are interested in working. Check our Internship Program Employer Map to view previously participating employers.
- Respond to any employers who contact you.
- If an employer is interested in hiring you, they will send your name to MassCEC for an eligibility check.
- If you are eligible, the employer may contact you or your Co-op Coordinator to set up an interview.
- MassCEC will reach out to you or your Co-op Coordinator for additional information. Respond promptly to any communication to confirm your eligibility.
Get signatures on an offer letter
- If an employer wishes to hire you for the session and MassCEC confirms your eligibility, the employer will send you an offer letter. You, your Co-op Coordinator (if applicable), and your legal guardian (if applicable) must sign the letter.
- Ensure that the offer letter includes your name, expected work dates, and hourly wage.
- MassCEC will officially reserve your funding for the session only after receiving the signed offer letter.
Enjoy your Internship!
- Take full advantage of this opportunity by acquiring valuable skills and by networking within the industry.
Fill out the student survey
- Before the session concludes, MassCEC will send you a link to an anonymous student survey. Completing this survey is important as it helps us improve the program and ensures it remains beneficial for future participants.
Program Documents
Internship Program Employer Map
This map shows the employers (orange dots) who have participated in the Vocational Internship Program in the past. Zoom in and click on the dots for more information.
Additional Career Resources for Students

Clean Energy Internship Program
This is MassCEC's flagship internship program for college and graduate students.
CleanEnergyEducation.org
Discover a wealth of clean energy education and training programs throughout Massachusetts.
Jobs Board
Looking for a full- or part-time job in the clean energy sector? Clean energy employers from across the state regularly post non-internship positions with us and are looking for candidates just like you to fill these crucial roles.
Resume Board
Submit your details into our resume database today and have clean energy employers reach out to you for their open positions.