A Willamette Valley community college hopes to boost the renewable energy workforce after winning a $600,000 grant from the state.
The Oregon Department of Energy awarded Chemeketa Community College, which has locations in Salem, Woodburn and McMinnville, $601,537 to launch the Energy Efficiency and Building Technology Training Program.
The college was one of six organizations awarded a grant from the agency. It received the largest grant the agency awarded through the program.
The program will provide pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, and training in English and Spanish in renewable energy workforce skills for:
- Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration, or HVAC/R.
- Home weatherization strategies.
- Heat pump and heat pump water heater installations.
- Electrical panel upgrades.
- Maximizing home energy efficiency using emerging technologies.
- Navigating available incentives and rebates.
According to Francisco Saldivar, executive…
