Empowering Trade Allies for Building Efficiency and…

Environmental & Economic Research and Development Program Empowering Trade Allies for Building Efficiency and Electrification Research

About the Research Project

To achieve the goals of Focus on Energy, Trade Allies need a recruitment and training strategy that increases their capability to deliver products and services. This requires leveraging training capacity across the technical college system, trades, and independent training programs. The Empowering Trade Allies for Building Efficiency and Electrification Research Project aimed to help Wisconsin best deploy federal workforce funds and building electrification and efficiency incentives by interviewing Trade Allies, technical college training programs, independent training programs, apprenticeship sponsors, and workforce development programs to define needed training, hiring, and business development support.

Contributor: Midwest Renewable Energy Association
Project Timeline: November 2023 - July 2024

Research Objectives:

Define immediate and expected recruitment, hiring, and training needs through interviews with at least 40 Trade Allies providing building energy efficiency, energy management, energy auditing, insulation and air-sealing services, and HVAC services.
Identify available training, certification, and apprenticeship programs that support building efficiency and electrification workforce capacity with specific attention to gaps in service to high unemployment census tracts through interviews with at least 10 stakeholders representing this industry.
Develop a consensus between Trade Allies and training providers as to the best recommendations for Focus on Energy.

Single image nwtc empowering trade allies

Research Project Highlights

Key Findings

Six key recommendations were derived from Trade Ally and training provider interviews. These recommendations identify priority workforce needs and training program investments and strategies to scale energy efficiency and electrification initiatives, fostering a more robust and skilled workforce that can deliver quality energy efficient projects to Focus on Energy customers, helping Wisconsin achieve its energy goals.

1. Build on Existing Programs

Create networking and knowledge-sharing opportunities.
Promote trade careers to students.
Support for employee training leading to industry recognized credentials.
Apprenticeships.
Leverage/model Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) training.
Develop and formalize relationships between technical colleges and HVAC manufacturer/distributor training.
Provide building analyst training and certification to existing professionals.

2. Support The Customer

Provide consumer education resources.
Provide consumer education partnerships.

3. Meet Trade Allies Where They Work

Support and promote worksite training.
Offer financial support for training.

4. Quality Control

Promote Trade Ally standards.
Promote Trade Ally promotion.
Enhance communication on quality control.

5. Supporting the Students

Provide wrap-around services.
Support underserved markets.
Increase scholarship opportunities.

6. Empowering Instructors

Support professional development.
Recruit instructors with industry experience.
Offer financial support for lab equipment and curriculum.

Learn More

Project Reports:
Final Report

Questions?

Contact the Future Focus team at futurefocus@focusonenergy.com