Apprenticeships are a proven tool for recruiting and retaining skilled and diverse workers. For clean energy companies, interest in apprenticeships is growing fast thanks to new incentives in the Inflation Reduction Act. Apprenticeship programs will help expand the clean energy workforce and build a pipeline of highly qualified and diverse talent.
IREC was selected by the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship to serve as an Industry Intermediary for Registered Apprenticeships for clean energy. Through the Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network, IREC leads a national coalition of industry, training, and workforce development leaders to expand and diversify Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in the rapidly evolving clean energy sector.
What is a Registered Apprenticeship?
Apprentices are paid employees who receive on-the-job training and related technical instruction under the supervision of a mentor. Apprenticeships have been used throughout history to train people in occupations that require extensive practical experience to master.
A Registered Apprenticeship (RA) Program has been validated to meet the standards defined by the U.S. Department of Labor and/or a State Apprenticeship Agency. An RA typically takes between 2-5 years to complete. In many ways, the credential earned is similar to a degree issued upon completion of college education in a particular field of study.
How Can the ACE Network Help You?
We provide no-cost, high-quality technical assistance for employers and other potential sponsors throughout the process of designing, registering, implementing, and scaling Registered Apprenticeship programs aligned with national standards and industry-recognized credentials. Drawing on proven strategies and best practices, ACE Network partners also offer curriculum resources and recruitment partnerships to support program development and sustainability.
Get Started Now
Interested in exploring Registered Apprenticeships? We encourage clean energy employers, training providers, labor unions, and other interested parties to contact us and receive no-cost technical assistance to develop Apprenticeship Programs. In order that we can serve you best, please fill out this intake form to get started.
Additional Resources
Webinar: Exploring Registered Apprenticeships for Clean Energy Employers. View this recorded webinar from IREC, the Solar Energy Industries Association, and the Building Performance Association to learn more about how your company can cultivate a pipeline of highly qualified and diverse talent through registered apprenticeships.
One-Pager: Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network. Download and share this one-page flyer to learn more about Registered Apprenticeship opportunities through the ACE Network!
Registered Apprenticeship Toolkit for Clean Energy Employers. This toolkit from the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) is intended to provide employers and other stakeholders with the background information and supplemental resources needed to implement RAPs to develop a clean energy workforce.
Apprenticeable Occupations in Clean Energy. A guide to common apprenticeable occupations for clean energy employers.
Featured Apprenticeship: Waznek Construction, Inc.
Wanzek, a commercial and utility-scale renewable energy construction company, launched a Construction Craft Laborer Apprenticeship Program in 2022. The fully in-house program is designed to cultivate a pipeline of highly trained and talented craft team members.
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This project has been funded, either wholly or in part, with Federal funds from the Department of Labor, Employment & Training Administration under Contract number [1605C2-23-C-0015], the contents of this publication do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Department of Labor, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement of same by the U.S. Government.