Training Program Director Energy and Climate Skills Training Program

Introduction:

Renewable Energy Partners, Inc. (REP) seeks a creative, self-directed and motivated individual to lead the next phase of development in Energy and Climate Skills training programs at REP’s training facility in Minneapolis.   REP is a fast-growing solar development firm that supports current training programs and needs effective leadership and partnerships to organize and manage the facility and coordinate training programs on a daily basis. This position includes supporting training program partners, leading efforts for new course development, and developing networks for funding, support services, and navigation and job placement. 

Current Status:

REP has renovated its 22,000 square foot office and training center at 1200 Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis as a state-of-the-art facility for entry-level and continuing education skills training.  The facility is on a major bus rapid transit route with five-minute connections to the regional light rail network, on-site parking and bicycle lanes.  The facility has 5 multi-purpose classroom and workshop areas available for training, totaling approximately 12,500 square feet. The building itself is a living laboratory for clean energy and sustainability technologies with rooftop solar integrated with a battery storage system, ground-source, electric heat pumps for heating and cooling, EV charging and on-site management of 100% of the site’s annual rainfall.

Training spaces include an HVAC lab, solar classroom and workshop with training tools, and a certified “tiny house” training tool for energy efficiency courses that will be completed this fall as the only certified test site in the metro area for Building Performance Institute certifications.  Teaching tools on-site also include “solar carts” for teaching interconnection of solar arrays, and a HAM (heating, air, moisture) House for Building Science.

The facility has been offering skills training and career exploration programs for 3 years with a focus on recruitment of BIPOC students and young adults from under-served communities.  Current programs include HVAC Tech sponsored by Avivo Institute, NABCEP Solar Associate sponsored by the City of Minneapolis, Electrical Pre-apprenticeship sponsored by the electricians’ union, and sustainable landscaping sponsored by Metro Blooms.  Some capacity has been developed to support training programs with recruitment of trainees, pre-training skills assessments, support services to address barriers, program evaluation, and navigation and placement with employers.

Current program support has come from federal, state and local governments, and corporate and philanthropic foundations.  Some core program support is committed through 2027, but funding needs to be increased and extended beyond next year.  Training programs have had demonstrated success with high demand for current courses, and projections for job growth in new course areas such as Building Science, Energy Efficiency, Electrification and Green Infrastructure.

The successful candidate for this position will lead daily operations, support current training programs and student success, and develop new programs and partnerships to meet the long-term goals of the training center.