This funding will attract and educate new workers in the energy efficiency industry, train existing workers, and support business owners in making homes healthier and more energy efficient, keys to advancing the Biden administration’s climate agenda and the strategy for growing the economy from the middle out and bottom up.

“As our nation moves towards a clean energy future, there is a growing demand for trained, certified workers to make homes more energy efficient,” said Secretary of Energy Jennifer M. Granholm. “Thanks to President's Biden's Investing in America agenda, this historic investment will strengthen our nation’s clean-energy workforce and economic opportunity, attract new talent, and help tackle the climate crisis.”

Workers trained by contractor training grants will be prepared to implement energy upgrades that could potentially qualify for rebates under the Home Energy Rebates Program and help save consumers money on their energy bills. Authorized by the Inflation Reduction Act, the program will issue $8.8 billion to state energy offices to retrofit and electrify homes.

DOE has released the Administrative and Legal Requirements Document, which provides guidance for states, territories, and Washington, D.C. to apply for funding that assists with the development and implementation of contractor training grant programs that meet their local workforce needs. Applications are due September 30, 2023.

To support the goal of building a clean and equitable energy economy, all applicants must submit a Community Benefit Plan that describes how their proposal will support local community and labor engagement; invest in our nation’s workforce by creating an environment for success; advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the workforce; and contribute to the administration’s Justice40 Initiative.

Visit the contractor training grants program webpage to stay up to date on program announcements, including an upcoming webinar that will answer questions regarding the application process.