Career Skills Training Program

DOE invites applications to the two workstreams below. Potential performers must only apply to one workstream and align their application with the requirements of that workstream. Applications or proposed projects must (1) expand existing training programs and (2) concurrently provide students classroom instruction and on-the-job training to obtain an industry-related certification to install energy efficiency buildings technologies.

Workstream 1: Expand Existing Training Pathways

This workstream will fund performers to train participants on occupations, career tracks, or pathways that are not currently engaged or served by the performer and lead to job placement. Workstream 1 programs will result in a variety of work-based learning programs that align classroom experience with on-the-job training and help participants secure good jobs. For example, this could include internships, college education experiences (co-ops), externships, registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, or Youth Apprenticeships. Selected workstream 1 performers will showcase strong industry-labor partnerships and detailed work plans with defined performance outcomes. DOE may issue between zero (0) and four (4) awards under workstream 1.

Workstream 2: Enhancing Existing Energy Efficiency Career Skills

This workstream will fund performers to enhance current training programs with additional energy efficiency field practices, technology instruction, and job placement. Workstream 2 programs will result in documented best practices for developing successful labor-industry nonprofit partnerships; impactful strategies for career skills training; and innovative, scalable, and replicable program models that lead to good jobs. Using HVAC as an example, current practices could be expanded by adding proper boiler sizing, heat pumps, dampers, valves, building controls, retro-commissioning, and codes. This workstream will expand existing technology-specific trainings to include training on new, complementary technologies. Selected workstream 2 performers will showcase classroom and on-the-job training that equips participants with the skills required to perform energy efficiency upgrades and secure good jobs. DOE may issue around four (4) awards under this workstream.

To ask questions and better understand the CST program and application requirements, attend the Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session (IW/OSS) on January 15, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET to learn more. COMPLETED

ENWX will be employing the CAPTCHA-enabled feature on our meetings, and webinar participants may receive a CAPTCHA challenge in order to join the Sessions. 

For the best webinar experience, we recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams software to your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

ENERGYWERX and DOE will host an open office hour for potential performers on February 5, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET. DOE encourages participants to come prepared with questions. Click Here to Register

ENWX will be employing the CAPTCHA-enabled feature on our meetings, and webinar participants may receive a CAPTCHA challenge in order to join the Sessions. 

For the best webinar experience, we recommend downloading the Microsoft Teams software to your computer, smartphone, or tablet.

Submissions are due no later than March 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET.

Workstream 1: Expand Existing Training Pathways

Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (Submissions are due no later than March 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET)

Workstream 2: Enhancing Existing Energy Efficiency Career Skills

Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (Submissions are due no later than March 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET)

1. Applications Open: January 8, 2025.
2. Informational Webinar/Objective Strategic Session (optional): January 15, 2025, from 3:00-4:00 PM ET.
3. Information “Office Hours” Session (optional): February 5, 2025, from 3:00-4:00 PM ET.
   1. Click Here to Register
4. Teaming Partner List (optional): February 21, 2025.
   1. Click Here to Sign Up
   2. Click Here to View Potential Partners
5. Application deadline (required): March 6, 2025, at 3:00 PM ET.
   1. Workstream 1: Click Here to Submit
   2. Workstream 2: Click Here to Submit
6. Review and Selection: Selection notifications anticipated in late April 2025.
7. Awarding and Implementation: ENERGYWERX anticipates finalizing awards in late Spring or Summer 2025.

Workstream 1: Expand Existing Training Pathways

Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (Submissions are due no later than March 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET)

Workstream 2: Enhancing Existing Energy Efficiency Career Skills

Complete the Submission Form: Click Here to Submit (Submissions are due no later than March 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM ET)

DOE will conduct an eligibility determination before it reviews any application.

Letter(s) of Commitment

• The lead performer must submit at least one letter of commitment from the industry or labor organization with which they are partnering, as well as one letter of commitment from each additional proposed partner.
  • For example, an industry organization lead performer must submit a letter of commitment from their labor organization partner, plus a letter from each additional proposed partner.
• Potential performers must provide written assurance of their proposed cost share contributions that includes a letter of commitment from each entity providing a cost share contribution and the amount committed to the project.

Demonstration

The Nonprofit Partnership must submit evidence to demonstrate all of the following:

1. Experience implementing and operating worker skills training and education programs, including best practices they propose to use;
2. The ability to identify and involve in training programs target populations of individuals (i.e., demographic characteristics, skill levels) who would benefit from training and be actively involved in activities relating to energy efficiency and renewable energy industries; and
3. A plan to help individuals achieve economic self-sufficiency.

DOE will evaluate and prioritize applications using the review criteria below.

Criterion 1: Technical Merit (40%)

Alignment with Workstream

• The application aligns with workstream-specific objectives for either workstream 1 or workstream 2, as defined in the Opportunity Announcement section above.

Demonstration of Need

• The statement of need clearly articulates the occupational skills needed and current supply of qualified skilled energy efficiency workers compared to the projected future demand for the selected geographic scope. This includes citations for the projected demand from sources such as the U.S. Department of Labor (e.g., Bureau of Labor Statistics), state workforce agencies, employers, or other labor market information from credible parties.

Outreach, Training, and Employment Placement Plans

The training plan includes the items below. DOE has provided an optional training plan template for applicants:

• The training plan includes:
  • Priority job titles or career pathways in the building energy efficiency industry for which the performer will train participants;
  • Schedule for classroom instruction and on-the-job training for participants that leads to industry-related credentials;
  • List of industry-related credentials that participants can obtain. This could include, but is not limited to, credentials recognized by DOE’s Energy Skilled Program for heat pump, heat pump water heater, and energy assessment programs; and
  • Retention plan from participants during training by offering supportive services to program participants, e.g., childcare assistance, transportation assistance, career navigation services, employment counseling, and mentorship programs.
• The employment placement plan includes actionable strategies to connect participants to, and place participants in, high-quality, in-demand jobs in the building energy efficiency sector.
• The application describes:
  • How the proposed education and training activities for the program will meet the needs of employers;
  • Strategies to recruit, support, and retain participants throughout the program so that the proposed training outcomes are met; and
  • How the program will place participants into good jobs, leading to more skilled workers in the workforce.

Criterion 2: Project Implementation (40%)

Project Management

• The partnership plan includes the items below. DOE has provided an optional partnership plan template for applicants.
  • An organizational chart to identify the roles and activities of the lead performer, required partner, and optional partners;
  • Cost share contribution per partner; and
  • An explanation if this is a new partnership or an enhancement to an existing partnership with the labor or industry partners identified.
  • Description of processes to manage each component of the program (i.e., project management plan; communications plan to be used between partners; and systems and procedures that are in place to track, report, and manage the grant for fiscal and administrative management, outreach, and promotion).
• Describes the project team and team experience in clean energy job training and workforce development.

Workplan

• Submits a workplan that provides clear descriptions of tasks, milestones, deliverables that are clear, detailed, timely, and demonstrate a high likelihood that the proposed workplan will succeed in meeting the project goals. Each task, milestone, and deliverable includes a timeline and budget. DOE has provided an optional workplan template for applicants.
• Reasonableness of budget and spend plan (including cost share) detailed in the workplan for the proposed tasks and objectives. Includes at least one task, and any associated milestones, focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA).

Criterion 3: Community Benefits (20%)

Investing in Job Quality and Workforce Continuity

• Defines a plan to connect all participants with high quality jobs (e.g., jobs that offer benefits; stable and predictable wages; opportunities for career and skill advancement; etc.).

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)

• Describes plans to engage and recruit participants from disadvantaged communities and those facing barriers to employment. Describes plans to support successful outcomes for these participants, including any plans to (1) partner with pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship readiness programs to foster improved access for underrepresented workers, and/or (2) provide support services that are critical to increase disadvantaged communities’ participation and persistence in the project’s activities (e.g., childcare or long-term care supports, transportation assistance, emergency cash assistance), and
• Describes plans to partner with organizations located or working in disadvantaged communities, such as underrepresented businesses (e.g., Veteran Owned and other Socially Disadvantaged Businesses), educational institutions (including formally designated Minority Serving Institutions), community-based organizations, and training organizations that serve workers who face barriers to accessing quality jobs, and/or other project partners to help address DEIA.

Justice40

• Uses Climate & Economic Justice Screening Tool to identify disadvantaged communities to steer anticipated project benefits, and
• Describes how and when anticipated benefits are expected to flow to disadvantaged communities. These benefits should align with DOE’s eight Justice40 policy priorities.

If you have any additional questions, please contact ENERGYWERX: info@energywerx.org

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