Ten participants to receive foundational weatherization workforce training through a first-of-its-kind collaboration bridging environmental justice and clean energy careers

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Everblue, a leading provider of clean energy training and workforce development headquartered in North Carolina, today announced a new partnership with Dream.Org, a national nonprofit organization working to close prison doors and open doors of opportunity into the green economy. Beginning April 30, 2025, the two organizations will jointly deliver a pre-apprenticeship training cohort in Charlotte, NC, designed to connect underserved and justice-impacted community members with careers in clean energy and weatherization.

The inaugural cohort will enroll 10 participants in an 8-hour training program delivered in person through everblue. Participants will complete two nationally recognized credentialing courses: OSHA 10, which provides foundational safety training and Weatherization 101, which introduces participants to the skills and knowledge required for residential energy efficiency work. Upon successful completion, participants will be positioned to pursue further credentialing, employment in the weatherization sector, and potential pathways into the North Carolina Weatherization Assistance Program (NC WAP).

“This partnership reflects our core belief that clean energy careers should be accessible to everyone,” said Chris Sullivan, Project Manager at Everblue. “Including those who have historically been left out of the workforce conversation. We’re proud to work alongside Dream.Org to create real, tangible opportunities in Charlotte.”

Dream.Org’s Green for All initiative works to ensure that as the clean energy economy grows, all communities — particularly those most impacted by pollution and economic inequity — benefit from good jobs and better health. This collaboration with Everblue extends that mission into workforce training, connecting Dream.Org’s network of justice-impacted individuals with structured, credentialed pathways into the energy efficiency industry.

The pre-apprenticeship training will be administered in person with everblue’s instructional team supporting the cohort members through the credentialing process, with an emphasis on practical readiness for entry-level weatherization roles.

This cohort represents a first step toward a longer-term relationship between Everblue and Dream.Org, Everblue and Dream.Org are committed to a long-term partnership focused on building a diverse, qualified pipeline of workers in the weatherization and broader clean energy workforce — with this cohort marking the first of many to come.

ABOUT EVERBLUE

Everblue, a proud veteran-owned business, is dedicated to helping government programs run more efficiently while strengthening America’s energy workforce. The company offers a full range of software solutions, hands-on program implementation services and workforce development training to help both individuals and organizations succeed. As an IREC Accredited Training Provider, Everblue delivers top-notch training—available online and in person—to build the skills needed for today’s energy efficiency jobs. Its award-winning software simplifies licensing, certification and eligibility management for state and local agencies, improving transparency, compliance and workflow efficiency. Everblue is committed to advancing government modernization and fostering public trust through scalable, effective solutions that drive lasting mission impact and growth.Learn more at everbluetraining.com.

ABOUT DREAM.ORG Dream.Org is a national nonprofit organization working to close prison doors and open doors of opportunity. Through its Green for All initiative, Dream.Org champions clean energy job access, environmental justice, and economic opportunity for communities most impacted by pollution and mass incarceration. Learn more at dream.org.

Everblue, a leader in workforce development and energy efficiency training, has launched its EPA RRP Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting (RRP) course approved for contractors in Vermont. The program meets the state’s specific regulatory requirements, giving participants compliant, high-quality instruction in lead-safe work practices.

EPA RRP Lead training provides critical value to contractors participating in the Vermont Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) by equipping them with the knowledge and certification needed to safely work in homes with potential lead hazards. The training ensures that all work meets federal and Vermont-specific lead-safe requirements, protecting both workers and residents. For WAP contractors, this means greater compliance, enhanced professional credibility and the ability to confidently deliver high-quality weatherization services while maintaining the health and safety of Vermont families.

Vermont requires a unique version of the EPA RRP Lead course and Everblue successfully obtained state approval, ensuring that contractors receive training that meets both federal and Vermont-specific guidelines. The course is delivered in person at the Vermont Innovation, Efficiency and Weatherization (VIEW) Center in Barre, where contractors participate in hands-on instruction designed to reflect real-world job site conditions. The training concludes with a skills demonstration and a timed, proctored exam, ensuring participants can confidently apply lead-safe practices in the field.

Everblue’s partnership with the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity (OEO) is designed to deliver practical, state-approved training that strengthens the skills of WAP contractors across the state. By combining Everblue’s expertise in workforce development and regulatory training with OEO’s local oversight and guidance, this collaboration ensures that contractors receive impactful instruction that improves program outcomes, enhances workforce readiness and advances Vermont’s broader energy efficiency and safety goals.

“Getting Vermont’s state approval was a critical step,” said Margaret Robinson, operations director at Everblue. “This ensures contractors can trust our training to meet both federal and state lead-safety requirements—no guesswork, no uncertainty.”

Everblue’s Vermont-approved EPA RRP Lead course is now available for contractors across the state. Agencies, partners and  contractor networks interested in hosting a training can contact Everblue to coordinate future sessions.

Some in the field work from our VT Lead Training

Everblue is proud to announce its participation in the Vermont Weatherization Technician Registered Apprenticeship Program, sponsored by the Vermont Office of Economic Opportunity (VT OEO) and administered through the Vermont Department of Labor. 

The program officially launched in Q1 2026, with its first cohort beginning training on April 20—marking a major step forward in building Vermont’s weatherization workforce.

As part of the apprenticeship, Everblue will deliver the Related Technical Instruction (RTI) through live webinar training, complementing on-the-job experiences offered by Vermont’s community action agencies participating in the Weatherization Assistance Program. This combination of practical fieldwork and structured technical education ensures apprentices gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel as certified weatherization technicians.

“Through this program, we’re helping build a skilled workforce that directly supports the needs of Vermont’s Weatherization Assistance Program agencies,” said Chris Sullivan, program manager at Everblue. “By combining hands-on experience with our live technical training, we’re giving apprentices the tools to succeed and helping agencies meet the growing demand for energy efficiency services.”

The 12 apprentices will complete a comprehensive series of industry-recognized courses, including OSHA 10, Retrofit Installer Technician, Weatherization 101, BPI Building Science Principles, BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage, Customer Service, Asbestos Awareness, and Lead RRP. Together, this training equips participants with a strong foundation in building science, jobsite safety, energy efficiency best practices, and customer engagement—preparing them for successful careers in weatherization.

Thanks to the partnership between VT OEO and Everblue, the RTI training is available at no cost to participants, helping remove barriers to entry and support workforce development in energy efficiency and building performance across Vermont.For more information about the program or to get involved, please contact Chris Sullivan at [email protected]

Everblue and Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) have renewed and significantly expanded their training partnership, growing from two initial courses to a comprehensive 21-course catalog designed to support weatherization contractors across Texas.

After launching last year with Weatherization 101 and BPI Building Science Principles, the collaboration has evolved into a broader workforce development initiative.

Beginning in March, contractors recruited through TAMUK will have access to expanded certification pathways, technical credentials and career-track programs delivered in person, hybrid, live online and self-paced formats.

“This expansion reflects real momentum,” said Joe Keefe at Everblue. “What began as a focused launch has grown into a structured training ecosystem that gives contractors the tools to advance, specialize and meet increasing program demands.”

These courses are specifically designed to strengthen Texas’ Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) workforce—equipping new contractors to enter the field and advancing the skills of those already supporting local WAP subgrantees. The Weatherization Assistance Program is a federally funded initiative that delivers home energy upgrades to income-qualified households, creating sustained demand for skilled contractors statewide.

The expanded course lineup includes:

• BPI Building Analyst Technician
• BPI Building Analyst Professional
• BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage
• HEP Energy Auditor
• HEP Quality Control Inspector
• EPA Lead RRP
• ASHRAE 62.2
• Asbestos Awareness
• Introduction to Heat Pumps
• NABCEP PV Associate
• North American Technician Excellence (NATE)
• OSHA 10 and OSHA 30 Construction Industry
• Weatherization Finance
• Retrofit Installer Technician / Crew Leader
• Single Family Energy Auditor
• Weatherization Laborer
• Customer Service for Weatherization Professionals

By broadening the scope from foundational education to full career pathways, TAMUK is strengthening its role as a regional hub for energy efficiency workforce development. The partnership now supports professionals at every stage—from entry-level laborers to advanced auditors and quality control inspectors.

As demand for weatherization and energy efficiency services continues to grow across Texas, the expanded collaboration ensures contractors have accessible, high-quality training aligned with industry-recognized certifications.

Classes under the renewed partnership begin in March.

Everblue is launching a new pre-apprenticeship initiative in the first week of February that will train 150–200 students and strengthen North Carolina’s workforce pipeline in support of the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program (NC WAP).

This pre-apprenticeship program is focused on building the workforce by partnering with several nonprofit organizations: She Built This City, Hope Renovations and STEMEast Network. Through this collaboration, participants from each organization will receive targeted training that prepares them to become qualified subcontractors within the NC WAP network.

The North Carolina Weatherization Assistance Program (NC WAP) helps households reduce energy costs, improve home safety, and increase comfort. Administered by the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality (NC DEQ) with funding from the U.S. Department of Energy, the program prioritizes elderly residents, people with disabilities, families with children and households with high energy burdens. In addition to improving homes, NC WAP supports local job creation by relying on trained contractors and skilled tradespeople across the state.

As part of the pre-apprenticeship program, nonprofit participants will receive foundational and advanced training, including courses such as:

• Asbestos Awareness
• BPI Building Science Principles
• BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage
• Weatherization 101

By equipping nonprofit teams with the skills and credentials needed to perform weatherization and home performance work, the program helps expand the pool of trained professionals available to support NC WAP’s mission of revitalizing homes across the state. This approach creates a multiplier effect—strengthening nonprofit organizations, providing career pathways for their employees, supporting state and program goals and delivering lasting benefits to local communities.

“This pre-apprenticeship program is about more than training, it’s about creating sustainable career pathways while strengthening the workforce needed to serve North Carolina communities,” said Chris Sullivan, project manager at Everblue. “By partnering with mission-driven nonprofits, we’re helping build capacity across the state to ensure homes are safer, healthier and more energy-efficient.”

The pre-apprenticeship model not only addresses immediate workforce needs but also builds long-term capacity to support safe, healthy and energy-efficient housing for North Carolina residents.

For more information, please contact Chris Sullivan at 336-706-1843 or [email protected].