Industry News

By Amy Paradysz

WITH MORE THAN 15,000 clean energy jobs in Maine, the green energy economy is growing faster in Maine than anywhere else in New England. To better keep pace with that demand, a free workforce program called Green Jobs for ME, introduced in July, is training Mainers for jobs as engineering and construction trades managers.

Job seekers can access on-the-job training, subsidized training and work experience, pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships, stackable credits and certificates and associate and bachelor’s programs. Participants are seeking careers as electricians, solar photovoltaic installers, HVAC technicians and 20 other construction-related jobs.

The program is funded through a $2 million U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grant and managed by Coastal Counties Workforce, Inc. through Goodwill Northern New England.

“Green Jobs for ME will add over 300 skilled and qualified workers to the state’s workforce—which is huge,” said David Wurm, senior director of Workforce Services for Goodwill Northern New England. “A lot of our partners are local businesses in the renewable energy field who will benefit from working with program participants as much as the jobseekers will benefit from them.”

Employment partners include Association of General Contractors, Assured Solar, ClimateWork Maine, Cianbro, Croft, Dirigo Solar, Evergreen Home Performance, Reed & Reed and ReVision Energy.

For more information or to enroll: workforcesolutionsme.org/inquiry-form

This article appeared in the Fall 2024 edition of Green & Healthy Maine HOMES. Subscribe today!

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