Presentation at 6th Massachusetts Green Career Conference

2. } A multi-class, multi-racial movement for a
sustainable and just energy future
} A consumer-owned member cooperative

3. } A regional network of local communities
working to address energy priorities within
each respective geographic area
Franklin Cty
Hampshire Cty
Hampden Cty Worcester
Boston
Metro East

4. } Equitable and Just
◦ Economic Justice
◦ Environmental Justice
◦ Social Justice
} Sustainable
◦ Economic Sustainability
◦ Environmental Sustainability
◦ Social Sustainability

5. 1. Create community-owned green jobs and
green businesses, especially in limited
resource communities and communities
of color
2. Reduce our energy use by 80%
3. Build community-owned renewable
energy, district heating and co-gen
resources that are available to everyone
in a community

6. Leveraged support from 472 member-owners in
6 Local Organizing Councils to:
} Support the start-up of 10 clean energy
businesses
} Launch 3 Co-op Power Weatherization crews,
2 in Hatfield, one in Hyde Park
} Develop infrastructure for Northeast Biodiesel
in Greenfield, scheduled to launch in fall 2014
} Develop Community Shared Solar Program for
fall 2014 launch

7. } Supported the purchase and installation of the
Brattleboro Food Co-op’s 32 KWH Solar array
} Facilitated 85
Solar Hot Water system
installations

8. } Facilitated 10 Sustainability Summits, quarterly
leadership retreats, and other capacity building
events

9. Green Jobs Program participants share about their experiences
at the 2014 Sustainability Summit

10. Began in 2009 with
Roots Up Training
Program in Holyoke
Ø Collaboration with
Nuestras Raices, a community-based
organization serving Holyoke’s Puerto Rican
community
Ø Two 6 month training cohorts over 2 years
§ GED training
§ Life skills management & professionalism
§ Hands-on technical skills in Weatherization & Solar Hot
Water

11. Ø ALL 28 participants graduated from the training
program in 2 years
Ø 7 graduates hired by
Co-op Power and
Energia, a Holyoke
energy efficiency start-
up launched by Co-op
Power and Nuestras
Raices
Ø Total employment
placement rate of 63%

12. } Continued focus on target populations of
low-income young people and out-of-work
adults, with particular interest in addressing
the needs of people of color in these groups
} Shorter trainings, more geared to the
development of specific job skills
} Non-cohort based model
} Industry-driven
} Job-centered
} Currently, Co-op Power serves as a liason
between qualified jobseekers and employers,
providing referrals and trainings as needed

13. Over 25 Women
White
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
90%
100%
Age Gender Race

14. } In-person career planning session
} Resume review & editing support
} Professional interview practice
} Intro to Green Jobs & Energy Efficiency
overview workshop
} Referrals to employers with job openings
} Troubleshooting issues
with transportation,
childcare, job search
process

16. } Community-based organizations and
educational institutions refer potential GJP
candidates
} (Career Centers, Adult Education Programs, Community
Colleges, other Job Training programs)
} Participating employers inform Co-op Power
about job openings, request referrals, and
inform training schedule according to
fluctuating needs
} Co-op Power provides trainings directly with
support of expert consultants or facilitates
registration through other training institutions

17. 10/8/14
17
RESIDENTIAL ENERGY EFFICIENCY
Wx work improves
the efficiency of the
largest energy user.
Insulation and air
sealing are two
important steps
in this process. Source: Dept. of Energy

18. } Communication
} Safe work practices
◦ PPE, first aid, OSHA compliance
◦ Hand and power tool use
◦ Lead-safe, etc hazard conditions
identification
} Air sealing
◦ Material selection and application, access
and/or repair of installation sites
◦ Use of blower door to quantify, qualify air
leakage
} Insulation
◦ Material properties and installation
techniques
– Attics, walls, enclosed spaces
◦ Hazards associated with installation (ie
knob and tube wiring, structural damage)

19. Weatherization Career Pathway
MassCAP 2010 adapted from Annie E. Casey Foundation, 2009
Weatherization
Installer
Weatherization Crew
Chief
Weatherization
Auditor
Weatherization
Contractor
Competencies/Skills Competencies/Skills Competencies/Skills Competencies/Skills
• Read & write legibly
• Basic verbal skills
• Basic construction
knowledge
• Basic computer skills
• HS diploma/GED
preferred
Training/experience in:
• Air sealing
• Duct sealing
• Insulation
• Basic-load measures
(Training is often done
on the job)
All Installer skills plus
training or experience
in:
• Project management
(specific to crew of
installers)
• Training (including
adult learning
concepts)
• Diagnostic Testing
• Combustion Appliance
Safety
• Code Requirements
• Inspection &
Measurements
All Crew Chief Skills
(other than project
management) plus
training or experience
in:
• Measure Selection
• Work Space
Development
• May be required to
have Building
Performance Institute
(BPI) Certification
All Auditor skills plus
training or experience
in:
Business Management
(maintain required
licenses, insurance,
employment practices,
bidding, negotiations,
etc.)

20. } Good Green Jobs Program trained more than 170
individuals over 5 years in diverse range of
offerings including:
ü Intro to Energy Efficiency &
Green Jobs
ü Intro to Weatherization
ü Weatherization Installer
ü Crew Chief Training
ü BPI Building Analyst Prep
ü OSHA10
ü Lead-Safe Renovation
ü Conservation Code Overview
ü High-Performance, Energy Efficient
Green Heating Systems
ü Solar Hot Water Installation
ü Advanced Air Sealing

21. 0
20
40
60
80
100
120
#Participants
Trained
#OJT
placements
Q2completed
2+yearswork
#raises
GJP Outcomes
GJP Outcomes

22. } Of the 99 POP participants, 78 (79%)
completed On-The-Job (OJT) training with an
employer
} Of the 99 POP participants, 59 of them (60%)
completed at least 2 quarters of unsubsidized
employment following OJT
} 42% of GJP participants continue to work in
Green Jobs obtained during Co-op Power
Green Jobs Program
} 27% of participants placed in OJTs received
raises and/or promotions during this period

23. } MassSAVE program offers free energy
assessments, zero-interest loans, and incentives
to homeowners to do energy efficiency upgrades
} There are more than 100 small contractors
working in the MassSAVE program
} Constant demand and frequent employee
turnover necessitate ongoing energy efficiency
training
} Incumbent workers need additional training and
certification to take on higher levels of
responsibility

25. } ARRA Pathways Out of Poverty
2009-2010 (Roots Up training Program)
} Montague Community Block Grant
} Community Fund of Western MA
} Mass Clean Energy Center (MassCEC)
Pathways Out of Poverty 2011-2012
} MassCEC Pathways Out of Poverty
2013-2014

26. Presented by
Laura Porter
Good Green Jobs Coordinator
laura@cooppower.coop
413-349-4973