Everblue and Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont (Goodwill) have partnered to enhance workforce development by integrating energy efficiency and weatherization training into Goodwill’s established Construction Skills program.

Participants will begin with a 9-week, 94-hour Construction Basics Training provided by Goodwill and then advance to Everblue’s 50-hour hybrid series of specialized courses, which form the foundation of an Energy Efficiency Pre-Apprenticeship.

This pre-apprenticeship equips newcomers with essential industry knowledge, hands-on training and certifications, offering a direct pathway to careers in energy efficiency and weatherization while addressing talent shortages in these growing fields.

“This partnership with Everblue represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide valuable skills and career opportunities to our community,” said Marvin Kelley, director of Goodwill Industries of the Southern Piedmont’s Construction and Trade Training Program. “We’re excited to combine our resources and expertise to help individuals enter the expanding field of energy efficiency.”

Everblue’s Energy Efficiency Pre-Apprenticeship aims to build a diverse and skilled workforce for the state’s Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), directly addressing the talent needs of the 22 WAP Subgrantee agencies and preparing participants for lasting careers in the energy efficiency sector. 

The program offers hands-on skills and industry-recognized certifications that prepare participants for immediate employment.

Everblue’s segment will include the following courses:

• Weatherization 101
• EPA RRP Lead Renovator
• Asbestos Awareness
• BPI Building Science Principles
• BPI Infiltration & Duct Leakage

“We are thrilled to work alongside Goodwill to develop this innovative program,” said Juan Carvajal, project director at Everblue. “Our goal is to not only provide top-notch training but also to connect graduates with meaningful employment opportunities in the weatherization and energy efficiency sectors.”

The program is set to launch March 17, with both organizations committed to implementing strategies to recruit and prepare underrepresented populations for participation.

For more information about the program and enrollment details, please visit https://nc.apprenticeship.everbluetraining.com/ or email [email protected].