Program Description
Career and Workforce Readiness was a 2021-2026 Energize Careers initiative, dedicated to building a diverse and representative energy workforce. Through industry-informed training, direct job pathways, and comprehensive support services, the program expanded access to energy efficiency careers for individuals facing systemic barriers to employment. Career and Workforce Readiness was supported by California’s investor-owned utilities.
Program Accomplishments
Energize Careers partnered with pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs, community-based training organizations, and community colleges across California that offered energy-focused training. Through these partnerships, we supported both training providers and their participants in accessing and sustaining employment in the energy sector.
Energize Careers: Program Impact
- Partnered with 10 training organizations to deliver energy efficiency training and participant support
- Trained +1,000 disadvantaged workers
- Placed +700 participants into jobs
- Supported 490 participants in retaining employment for at least 12 months
Energize Careers Training Partners
We extend our gratitude to our training partners, whose collaboration made the Career & Workforce Readiness project a success. Together, we trained thousands of individuals in energy efficiency topics and supported hundreds of disadvantaged workers in securing employment in related industries.
Training Partner |
Region |
Training Topics |
Primary Job Placements |
The Trade School |
Redding |
Electrical, Carpentry |
HVAC, Carpentry |
Sacramento City College |
Sacramento |
HVAC, Industrial Maintenance |
HVAC, Industrial Maintenance |
Rising Sun Center for Opportunity Build |
East SF Bay Area |
Energy Efficiency, Construction Trades |
Plumbing, Construction |
Goodwill of Silicon Valley |
Southern SF Bay Area |
HVAC, Construction Fundamentals |
HVAC, Construction |
San Jose City College |
Santa Clara County |
HVAC |
HVAC |
Proteus Inc. |
Central Valley |
Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Electrical, Construction |
Construction and Industrial Maintenance |
Rio Hondo College |
Los Angeles |
Electric Vehicles, Energy Storage |
Electric Vehicle Technicians |
Cerritos College |
Los Angeles |
Energy Auditing, Construction, EV Charger Maintenance |
Surveyor, Architecture, Electician |
Inland Empire Electrical Training Center |
Inland Empire |
Electrical Apprenticeship (Inside Wireman) |
Electrican |
Electrical Training Institute of San Diego and Imperial Counties |
San Diego and Imperial Counties |
Electrical Apprenticeship (Inside Wireman) |
Electrician |
The funding from Energize Careers allowed us to run a cohort of participants [and] purchase necessary equipment for the new training facility in a new region for us and therefore expanded the geographical range of impact for our program." - Cerritos College Training Partner
Success Stories
Kevin Brown on the job site, putting his training into practice as he builds his career as an electrician apprentice.
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Kevin Brown knew early on that skilled trades were his future. After completing Goodwill of Silicon Valley’s Electrical Fundamentals program, he quickly launched his career as an electrician apprentice with ABC NorCal. Today, with paid experience, ongoing training, and growing confidence in his craft, Kevin is building a strong and sustainable future in the electrical trade.The hands-on training gave me a real advantage—I felt prepared from day one." - Kevin Brow, Goodwill of Silicon Valley |
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The Tesla START program is opening doors for women in STEM, and Cecilia Ledesma is a standout example. A recent graduate and single mother, Cecilia discovered a passion for coding and now describes herself as a “wizard” at programming electric vehicles. After completing the program, she secured a full-time role at Tesla, creating new stability for her family while continuing to grow in a traditionally male-dominated field.
As a single mother, the TESLA START program has opened a pathway that was not available to me before. I really enjoyed coding and am a self-proclaimed wizard when it comes to programming these electric cars." - Cecilia Ledesma, Rio Hondo College Training Center, Electric Vehicle Technician |
Cecilia Ledesma in training, applying her EV expertise through the Tesla START program to build a future in electric vehicle technology.
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Efren Martinez Gonzalez faced unemployment and uncertainty for the future. Since joining Energize Careers' free training program and embracing new opportunities, he has transformed his future and is now thriving as a full-time weatherization installer. Courtesy of Proteus Inc. and Tulare County Employment Connection.
For more information
For more information on the Career and Workforce Readiness Program, contact PG&E at [email protected]
The Energize Careers program is funded by California utility customers and administered by Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) and supported by the state’s other investor-owned utilities, (IOUs) under the auspices of the California Public Utilities Commission. Customers who choose to participate in this program are not obligated to purchase any additional goods or services offered by SEI or any other third party.
