Contractor and Workforce Development

Workforce and small business development opportunities in energy efficiency and solar energy jobs are rapidly increasing on a local, state, and national level. Elevate works to ensure that everyone is able take advantage of those opportunities.

We develop networks of support for people who have traditionally been underserved or left out of the clean energy economy. To do this, we collaborate with local community partners to provide access to training, resources, and jobs to ensure an equitable, inclusive, and high-caliber clean energy workforce.

Our work centers on diversity, equity, inclusion, and local community building. These pillars drive every aspect of our programs from design stage to program completion through ongoing contractor engagement.

Contractor Accelerators

Elevate’s Contractor Accelerators are designed to help remove the barriers that prevent developing and diverse contractors from entering the clean energy economy.

Each Accelerator is developed for a select group of contractors and tailored to a specific location and market, such as solar or electrification. Elevate works closely with local utilities, municipalities, trade organizations, and technical experts on thoughtful design to make the program effective for the area. Accelerators can last about six-to-eight weeks and may consist of:

• Weekly group classroom training (both in-person and virtual)
• One-on-one collaboration with each contractor to develop a growth plan tailored to their business and individual needs
• Support and training covering accounting, branding, marketing, accessing capital, hiring talent, technical skills training, obtaining diversity certifications, and more
• Mentorship opportunities with local businesses
• Access to professional networks job opportunities
• Ongoing support after the Accelerator

This model has been implemented with our partners in cities across the U.S., including Chicago and Peoria, Illinois; Portland, Oregon; Kansas City, Missouri; Dane County, Wisconsin; and Detroit, Michigan.  

Get involved! Sign up for our Clean Jobs Newsletter to receive updates when our programs are accepting applications. If you’d like to request 1:1 support, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page and our team will be in touch.

Clean Energy Workforce Training Programs

Elevate has expertise on program design and implementation for equitable workforce development in clean energy. We collaborate with community partners to train individuals for jobs that can set them up to build wealth, in addition to providing consultation to other organizations interested in engaging with this work. These programs consist of classroom training, hands-on technical experience, life-skills training, networking, preparation for certifications and industry-recognized credentials. Stipends are provided to cover participation in the program. 

By preparing people to participate in the clean energy economy and focusing on individuals from historically marginalized communities, returning citizens, and foster care alumni, we help to build a diverse and just workforce. 

Get involved! Sign up for our Clean Jobs Newsletter to receive updates when our programs are accepting applications. If you’d like to request 1:1 support, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page and our team will be in touch.