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.
Sign Up to Learn More
We encourage clean energy employers, training parties, labor unions, and other interested parties to contact us for more information. Fill out this interest form to get started.
Our Partners
Arkansas Advanced Energy Foundation
Building Performance Association
Center for Renewable Energy Advanced Technological Education
The HBCU Clean Energy Initiative
Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation
National Association of Workforce Boards
Solar and Storage Industries Institute
Solar Energy Industries Association
Service Year Alliance
Additional Resources
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.