Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement and Innovation (WAP E&I) Project
WAP Workforce Development Technical Assistance
IREC, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), and the National Association for State Community Services Programs (NASCSP) are collaborating to provide coordinated workforce development technical assistance (TA) to the WAP network.
Applicants for this TA program are eligible for personalized one-on-one support from a subject matter expert (SME) with expertise in recruiting, retaining, partnering, and networking strategies, among other workforce development topics. The amount of TA provided will vary depending on the complexity of the request. TA may range from 1 to 30 hours of support.
To be eligible for the current round of TA, all requests must be received by Friday, October 27th at 5pm EST. Subsequent opportunities for workforce development TA will be announced at a future date.
About the Project
The U.S. Department of Energy has awarded a $2 million grant to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) to lead a data-driven campaign to strengthen and diversify the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) workforce.
Over the next three years, in partnership with local WAP agencies and their communities, IREC will develop, pilot, and deploy an outreach campaign to raise awareness of and interest in WAP careers.
Ultimately, the project aims to help the WAP program hire a new generation of WAP workers, including women, opportunity youth, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI), and other underrepresented groups.
The project will include the development of a multimedia outreach toolkit and engagement platform, along with technical assistance and contractor outreach to help the WAP and local Subgrantees grow the workforce needed to impact more families nationwide.
“Weatherization of homes and creation of local jobs in underserved communities are essential components of our path to an equitable clean energy future. We are very excited to launch this campaign in partnership with WAP agencies and local communities across the country to expand opportunities for weatherization careers within the same energy-burdened communities that this program serves.”
—Larry Sherwood, President and CEO at IREC
Pilot Phase Will Refine Materials and Strategies Before National Rollout
Before the program resources are deployed to a national audience, they will be piloted in three states—Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
The pilot phase will include an outreach campaign, recruitment toolkit, and interactive online engagement platform for job seekers to learn more about WAP careers.
It will include strategic outreach to local community-based organizations, weatherization contractors, and other stakeholders to develop a robust pipeline of diverse workers with access to family-sustaining careers.
By working with a national Advisory Group, the project partners will ensure that the recruitment materials meet local community needs and include practices that can be used more broadly during the national rollout.
Stay Connected
Contact us if you’re interested in learning more about the Weatherization Assistance Program Enhancement and Innovation (WAP E&I) Project!
Project Partners
Partners on the project include the Building Performance Institute, the Clean Energy Center at Pennsylvania College of Technology, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Providence, National Association for State Community Services Programs, Slipstream, State of Wisconsin Department of Administration (Division of Energy, Housing and Community Resources), State of Oklahoma Department of Commerce, Oklahoma Association of Community Action Agencies, National Community Action Partnership (NCAP), and Service Year Alliance.