MEDIA ADVISORY
For Immediate Release
Contact: Lillian Brough or Leticia Colon de Mejias
Tel: 720-380-9106 or 860-690-5522
Email: [email protected]
On September 17, 2021, the first cohort of ten Connecticut residents trained for local energy efficiency jobs received their certifications and began their paid work experiences at local Energize CT contractors. These trainees participated in a six week training program, and are now on their journey to personal prosperity.
November 17, 2021 — Our Nation is facing a shortage of skilled workers to support our state climate, health, and energy equity goals. As Connecticut works to close Energy Equity gaps, both literally and figuratively, Efficiency For All (EFA), a local nonprofit, and our State of CT Office of Workforce Strategies, partnered with Capital Workforce Partners, to create a fast track hands-on approach to career readiness.
As a result, ten trainees completed seven nationally recognized certifications, and paid work experience at Connecticut minority owned contractors. The partnering contractors served as mentors and came to the table to collaborate on developing career paths that pay living wages, offer benefits, and provide lifelong growth opportunities. All ten program participants are now gainfully employed in Connecticut, and are serving their local communities, helping people save energy and save money, while lowering pollution, and lowering water waste across the state.
Program graduates were from the following Connecticut towns: Hartford, Windsor, Waterbury, Wallingford, Manchester, Plainville, Branford, Manchester
Participants received employment in the following Connecticut towns: Windsor, Stratford, Fairfield, Wallingford, Watertown, and New Britain
Employer Partnership included: Bright Solutions, CMC Energy Services, EES Go Green, Energy Management Authority, Home Comfort Practice, Harisi Energy, New England Smart Energy, Tallento Energy, Potential Energy, Eversource, United Illuminating, the CT Office of Workforce Strategies
“There is no better way to lift a person to prosperity, and open the doors for family success, than to provide a stable career that pays well, has benefits, and serves a deeper purpose. With the Climate Crisis looming, it is time for action as we work to create Energy Equity and tackle climate change head on. We must work together to build bridges to prosperity, agency, and self sufficiency, and tear down walls that previously held these participants back from personal prosperity and the ability to create and maintain generational wealth. Our workforce program did just that. By connecting participants to training, certificates, life skills, transportation, and connecting them to long term careers, we have helped offer opportunities for building long term wealth.” – Leticia Colon de Mejias, Co-chair Efficiency For All- CT.