Boston – The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 103 and the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) Greater Boston celebrated the first graduating class of the Clean Energy Pre-Apprentice Program (CEPAP), designed to prepare young adults (ages 18-24) for careers in the state’s clean energy industry. The program was funded through a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Apprentice Standards.
The 10-week, tuition-free program introduces participants to the union electrical industry with a focus on electric vehicle charging stations, battery storage, solar power, and wind power. This program is part of a statewide effort to engage a younger, more diverse workforce and connect them to family-sustaining careers.
Representatives from IBEW Local 103, NECA Greater Boston, and The Greater Boston Joint Apprenticeship Training Center with the inaugural 38 graduates of the Clean-Energy Pre-Apprenticeship Program
“As the Healey-Driscoll Administration works towards achieving its climate goals and growing clean energy jobs for Massachusetts, we value partnerships like with IBEW and NECA to prepare our future workforce and upskill our existing workers,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “Thanks to the collaboration with IBEW Local 103 and NECA, we are delivering the state’s first pre-apprenticeship program for clean energy electricians and expanding access and opportunity for a diverse talent pool of workers to pursue meaningful careers in this industry right here in Massachusetts.”
The Greater Boston Joint Apprentice Training Center (JATC) spearheaded the program, preparing participants for entry into the IBEW 103 apprenticeship program. The program’s participants receive hands-on training in EV charging, solar, wind, and other renewable energy fields at JATC’s facility in Dorchester.
Latino Santiago, awarded by IBEW Local 103, and Koi Green, awarded by NECA Greater Boston, celebrate their Outstanding Achievement in the Clean Energy Pre-Apprentice Program awards with representatives from IBEW Local 103, NECA Greater Boston, and The JATC.
“This program is aimed at addressing the demand for clean energy solutions and the skilled workforce needed to install, maintain, and upgrade clean energy systems well into the future,” said Lou Antonellis, business manager/financial secretary with IBEW Local 103. “No one else trains apprentices as Local 103 IBEW does — no one has a $10 million annual training budget, three full-time administrators, 13 full-time teachers, 25 part-time teachers, and trains apprentices on the job for over 10,000 hours while providing 6000 electricians with annual licensing updates.”
“It’s critical that we provide tomorrow’s workers with skills training needed to meet the evolving demands facing the state and in our local communities,” said Chris Sherlock, training director, JATC of Greater Boston.
“Collaboration with local, state, and federal partners has been critical in supporting our expanding clean energy workforce,” said Kristen Gowin, executive manager, NECA Greater Boston. “With this pre-apprenticeship, we are developing the talent needed to drive the clean energy transition in Massachusetts.”
