Green Workforce Development Awardees

WORKNOW helps people build careers in construction. They provide career coaching, training, employment, and retention support. They work with the Community College of Denver to enroll residents in over 20 partner programs. These programs make it easier for people to find jobs in clean energy and green building. They also connect people with local employers after their training. This means more jobs and fewer obstacles to finding work.

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Xplore is a career exploration program offered by Denver Public Schools. It introduces high school students to green energy careers. They do this through onsite business tours and guest lectures. During the summer, students can join the Summer Renewable Energy Academy. There they have the opportunity to:

• Explore green careers
• Learn about solar jobs with GRID Alternatives
• Apply their learning in hands-on projects
• Meet and learn from industry professionals

The program finds mentors and speakers for students to meet as they learn. They also partner with employers who offer summer internships.

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GRID Colorado has two programs to help people get into green jobs:

• SolarCorps Fellowship
• Solar Accelerator Internship

The SolarCorps Fellowship is an eleven-month, paid training. It connects people from disinvested communities with solar industry careers. Fellows also get:

• Career coaching
• Job search support
• Employer contacts

The Solar Accelerator Internship is the next step for Fellows. It is a 12-month paid training that connects interns to a higher level, higher paying solar job. Interns can choose from five tracks:

• Solar Installation Supervisor
• Solar Trainer
• Solar Designer
• Solar Site estimator
• Programs Coordinator for:
  • Workforce Development
  • Community Outreach
  • Clean Mobility

GRID also provides staff guidance and support for interns to get professional credentials. Students can work towards the National Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).

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The International Facility Management Association (IFMA) partnered with Goodwill of Colorado. Together they are working to address the needs of disinvested groups in Denver. To do this, they created a Facility Management Training Program (FMTP).

Facility Managers are change agents in the climate action space. They often drive sustainability capital and operating budgets. They also have the power to create many new of green jobs. Because of this, the FMTP is now a Registered Apprenticeship program in Colorado. Major employers in the IFMA Denver Chapter support the program. They are ready to offer employment to graduates from the FMTP.

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Mile High Youth Corps (MHYC) launched the Energy and Water Conservation program. The program prepares young people for quality green jobs. They get hands-on experience improving real homes in Denver. The Energy and Water Conservation program provides low-income residents with services that reduce:

• Utility bills
• Energy use
• Water use

By working with low-income families in Denver, young people in MHYC are building the skills they need for full-time green jobs. As they move through the program, students can also get federally-recognized certifications. 

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The Green Infrastructure Training (GRIT) is a six- to eight-week-program. It's designed to help students get ready for jobs in green infrastructure. This program provides young adults with paid training while they work. Students will get help applying for jobs and keeping them. Groundwork Denver will also help students get important certifications like:

• OSHA-10
• HAZWOPER 40-Hour
• Building Science Principles

These certifications are often necessary for starting a career in this field.

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The TreeForce pre-apprenticeship is an eight-week intensive paid training program. It gives education and skills development to people who used to be incarcerated. Participants also get robust support services and job placement in urban forestry. This is a high-quality and in-demand green career field.  

Throughout the program, participants will:

• Meet potential employers
• Engage in work-based learning
• Get interview coaching
• Learn how to become more employable

Participants can also get certified in:

• First Aid/CPR
• OSHA-10
• Introduction to Arboriculture Safety

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