MassCEC is working to equitably bring the benefits of clean energy jobs to our Commonwealth’s diverse populations.
Current Activities
The Massachusetts clean energy workforce needs to grow by 38%, or more than 38,000 workers by 2030 to meet the state’s aggressive decarbonization goals. Many of these jobs will be living-wage jobs. As gaps in the workforce for climate-critical sectors grow, engaging underrepresented populations will be crucial, not just for equity, but also to ensure that the Commonwealth has the workforce needed to meet clean energy goals.
MassCEC deploys over $12 million in funding annually for Workforce Equity programming to support training and business development opportunities for underrepresented populations.
Equity Workforce Training Grants
MassCEC supports organizations that can plan, develop, and deliver career training programs (or pathways to programs) leading to employment in climate-critical occupational categories and business fields that will serve individuals from Environmental Justice (EJ) and low-income neighborhoods, members of Federally recognized or state acknowledged tribes, fossil fuel workers, or other underrepresented populations in the clean energy sector. Through large-scale, multi-year funding opportunities up to $1.2 million across two to three years, MassCEC will enable these organizations to develop and expand workforce development activities while leveraging existing workforce resources, such as the MassHire Workforce Investment Boards and Career Center network, existing Community College and CTI programs, etc.
Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBE) Support Grants
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. Through large-scale, multi-year funding opportunities up to $1 million across up to three years, MassCEC will support these organizations in their efforts to provide certification-assistance, mentoring, networking, pipelines to procurements, access to capital, and more that historically has been limited to businesses owned by minorities or women.
This funding opportunity is now closed; future application rounds will be announced in late 2023.
On Sept 23, 2022, the Baker-Polito Administration announced $3.6M in funding to equity workforce training and Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises in climate-critical fields!
On August 29 2023, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced over $18 million in funding to Equity Workforce Training, Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprise, and Offshore Wind Works grants.
Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants
Applicants to the Implementation Grants and MWBE Support Grants that are not at the stage of implementation may be instead eligible for planning and capacity grants. Applicants may apply for $20,000 to $150,000 in funding for work completed over six months to two years. MassCEC will support organizations that have a strong vision of workforce training or MWBE support that need additional resources and time to develop partnerships, leverage other funding and resources, and prepare for implementation.
The current round is now open. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until May 20, 2024 at 11:59 PM.
Resources and Support
Guidance on MassCEC Workforce Funding Opportunities
- "MassCEC’s MWBE Support Grant Webinar"
- "MWBE Support Approaches: Past & Present” + Networking for Potential Applicants
- "How to Apply for Workforce Equity Planning Grants"
- "How to Apply for Equity Workforce Training Implementation Grants"
- Equity Workforce Planning and Capacity Grants
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
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
- Susan Almono, Greater Lawrence Technical School
- Rouwenna Altemose, All In Energy
- Emily Brown, Eversource
- Lisa Carchia, Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges
- Amanda Formica, National Grid
- Meredith Geraghty, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation
- Mark Harding, WampWorx
- Todd Isherwood, Sovereign Resilience Partners
- Gregory King, TSK Energy Solutions LLC
- Gail Latimore, Codman Square Neighborhood Development Corporation
- Wendy Mackie, MassMEP
- Sezan McDaniel, Massachusetts AFL-CIO
- Paula Peters, WampWorx
- Barry Reeves, New England Clean Energy Council
- Jhenny Saint Surin, Eversource
- Gabe Shapiro, All In Energy
- Judy Silvia, MassMEP
- Jamie Stockbridge, South Middlesex Opportunity Council
- Rachel White, Byggmeister