Expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Clean Energy

This End of Project Report for the Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network initiative provides a comprehensive overview of efforts to expand Registered Apprenticeship (RA) opportunities within the clean energy sector. Led by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and in collaboration with nine partner organizations, the project successfully navigated a range of tasks, including extensive employer and stakeholder outreach, tailored technical assistance, resource development, financial assistance, and program registration support—all aimed at building a skilled clean energy workforce.

The project achieved remarkable success, dramatically increasing the number of Registered Apprentices from 15 at the end of the Base Year to over 1,000 by the close of Option Year 1. The project produced seven National Guideline Standards (NGS), 40 Local Programs Standards and 32 Employer Acceptance Agreements, with 88 new, revised and existing occupations from signed standards. It also surpassed goals for new hybrid and competency-based RA programs, adding 13 where only 4 were required, and facilitated the establishment of 15 time-based programs. Key accomplishments include the development of NGS for emerging occupations across the clean energy industry, like Construction Craft Laborer, Weatherization Technician, and Energy Auditor; enhancing the Green Workforce Connect platform; and pioneering innovative RA models in areas such as digital media and heat pump installation.