Advancing Equity through Workforce Partnerships

Federal Agency

Sub-Department

Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (EERE)

Purpose

To support the development of workforce programs and partnerships that will facilitate the continued deployment of solar energy technologies, while supporting an inclusive workforce with opportunities for career advancement, including through union memberships.

Applicant and/or Project Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for this program is unrestricted. Projects should primarily relate to solar deployment and related careers for installation, system design, operations and maintenance (O&M), electrical work, project management, sales, and business operations.

Decarbonization Considerations

This program should help meet national, state, and local decarbonization goals by ensuring the adequate provision of solar services. Having a better trained workforce enables greater clean energy adoption. Areas of interest include: apprenticeship readiness (pre-apprenticeship) or apprenticeship partnerships; community-led training partnerships; and/or clean energy sector partnerships.

Equity Considerations

This program can help build an economic ecosystem in solar. By specifically centering career advancement and labor protections, including unions, this program can ensure the "high-road" labor conditions needed to help disadvantaged workers build stable livelihoods. Learn more here: https://emeraldcities.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/workforce-guide_4.12.21_form.pdf

Helpful Tips

Proposals focused on solar manufacturing and other equipment will be considered, but are not expected to be the primary area of focus for the funding program. Applicants should use the Concept Papers part of the application process to develop their initial proposal and get feedback from DOE. SETO strongly encourages teaming among multiple stakeholders across academia, industry, National Laboratories, community-based organizations (CBOs), unions, and all technical disciplines. Teams that include multiple partners are preferred over applications that include a single organization.

Other Notes

See the list of FY2023 awards here: https://www.energy.gov/eere/solar/advancing-equity-through-workforce-partnerships-funding-program