MassCEC is working to equitably bring the benefits of clean energy jobs to our Commonwealth’s diverse populations.
Current Activities
Workforce Equity Training Grants
MassCEC supports organizations that can plan, develop, and deliver career training programs (or pathways to programs) that will serve Environmental Justice (EJ) neighborhoods or fossil fuel workers, leading to employment in climate-critical occupational categories and business fields. Our initial objectives include building the capacity of organizations to plan for future, large-scale, multi-year funding opportunities offered by MassCEC or other entities that support workforce development activities, such as the federal government, Massachusetts workforce agencies, and the Massachusetts Department of Education.
Our initial round of planning grant awards will be announced during Summer 2022; MassCEC expects to offer additional planning grants, as well as larger-value implementation grants, in the near future.
Support for Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs)
MassCEC supports organizations that assist MWBEs in their creation, entry, and/or expansion into fields that are critical to meeting the Commonwealth's climate goals of reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Further information will be available Summer 2022. This program has been made possible through funding from the 2021 Act Creating a Next Generation Roadmap for Climate Policy.
Resources
High Priority Occupations for Meeting Massachusetts Climate Goals
- "Short Training & Low Experience Occupations (Carpenter, Crane & Tower Operator/Pile Driver, Insulation, Wind Turbine Technician, Hazardous Material Removal)"
- "Longer Training & More Experience Occupations (Electrician, HVAC Installer, Sheet Metal Worker, Architect, Mechanical Engineer)"
- Exemplary New York Workforce Training Partnerships: Willdan, Soulful Synergy, & Non-Traditional Employment for Women (NEW)
- More Exemplary New York Workforce Training Partnerships: Hudson Valley Community College, Solar One
Guidance on MassCEC Workforce Funding Opportunities
- "How To Apply for MassCEC’s MWBE Support Solicitation"
- "MWBE Support Approaches: Past & Present” + Networking for Potential Applicants
- "How to Apply for Workforce Equity Planning Grants"
- View Webinar Recording + View Slides
Inspiration and Guidance
MassCEC’s maintains an active Clean Energy and Workforce Development Equity Working Group to inform MassCEC’s Workforce Development programming.
Working Group members include clean energy workforce community and industry stakeholders who offer a broad range of relevant experiences and expertise from Massachusetts’ public, private and non-profit sectors.
The Working Group offers informal recommendations on ways to align MassCEC programming with the long-term goals of the Massachusetts Clean Energy Climate Plan and the equity objectives in the 2021 Act Creating A Next-Generation Roadmap for Climate Policy.
MassCEC’s Workforce Equity programming is also guided by the MassCEC Board of Directors.
Workforce Development Equity Working Group Members
- Ruth Georges, Eversource
- Kevin Rose – Local 1413 New Bedford (International Longshoremen’s Association)
- Abel Vargas, President, Valley Home Insulation (Lawrence)
- Rouwenna Altemose, Co-Founder, All In Energy
- Rachel White, CEO, Byggmeister
- Sean Killiam. Director of Public Affairs, MassMEP
- David Queeley, Mystic River Watershed Association
- Greg King, Managing Director, TSK Energy Solutions
- Lisa Huyghel, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges