Eligible workers in Santa Clara County receive $500 for completing online course
San José and Sunnyvale, Calif. – To meet growing demand in the marketplace, Silicon Valley Clean Energy and the San José – Evergreen Community College District Workforce Institute have launched ‘FutureFit Fundamentals,’ a new online course focused on all-electric building practices. The training is designed to familiarize local contractors, apprentices, and journeypersons with the latest in all-electric building systems and appliances, and rapidly evolving building policies as communities transition to a clean, all-electric future.
Eligible participants will receive a $500 stipend for course completion and may qualify to receive up to $5,000 for installing selected electric appliances in their home or business. Training includes all-electric HVAC, heat pump water heating, high-efficiency electric appliances and home solar+battery storage.
“As a residential solar installer and electrician serving the region for more than two decades, I know that there is tremendous opportunity for local contractors to learn about new, electric technologies that customers are now requesting more often,” said Barry Cinnamon, CEO of Cinnamon Energy. “This training helps prepare installers to be able to guide customers towards technologies that will help them save energy, money and the climate.”
Demand for clean, non-polluting electric technologies has created new opportunities for building professionals, but past policies and California’s historical reliance on gas have created a gap in education for tradespeople. FutureFit Fundamentals provides a good introduction to the concepts and knowledge tradespeople need to meet growing customer demand for all-electric installations and upgrades.
Many cities throughout Silicon Valley have recently instituted all-electric building codes, now in effect, via ‘reach codes’ that transition new building construction away from systems or appliances that require fossil fuel use. Further, the California Energy Commission recently adopted the most ambitious building codes in the country to prevent fossil fuel pollution from buildings and further the fight against climate change. The codes will require new buildings to include solar and battery storage, and pre-wiring that prepares for the transition to an all-electric future with efficient, electric appliances, particularly heat pump technology. These sweeping changes will go into effect in 2023.
“As we make major investments in clean energy and move towards meeting our climate goals as set forth in SB 100, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind. We must invest in workforce training and education to ensure that we create a just clean energy transition,” said Margaret Abe-Koga, SVCE board chair and City of Mountain View councilmember.
“We are very pleased to be able to partner with Silicon Valley Clean Energy on the FutureFit Fundamentals program,” said Dr. Alexandra Duran, San José – Evergreen Community College District’s interim executive director of strategic partnerships and workforce innovation. “This training will not only benefit those individuals who go through the program to receive the stipend and learn new skills to become more competitive in the market for building professionals and tradespeople, but will benefit the entire state as we transition to an all-electric future.”
FutureFit Fundamentals contractor training is a part of the SVCE COVID-19 relief plan; intended to support local businesses during these challenging times.
Eligible participants may sign up for the course at: www.svcleanenergy.org/FutureFit-Fundamentals.
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About Silicon Valley Clean Energy
Silicon Valley Clean Energy is a not-for-profit, community-owned agency providing clean electricity from renewable and carbon-free sources to more than 270,000 residential and commercial customers in 13 Santa Clara County jurisdictions. As a public agency, net revenues are returned to the community to keep rates competitive and promote clean energy programs. Silicon Valley Clean Energy is advancing innovative solutions to fight climate change by decarbonizing the grid, transportation, and buildings. Learn more at SVCleanEnergy.org.
About the SJECCD Workforce Institute
The Workforce Institute’s mission is to extend opportunity and mitigate economic disparities by empowering community members and transforming organizations for the evolving job markets. Established in 1988, the Workforce Institute has partnered with a diverse array of organizations to meet the needs of our diverse community and the ever-changing workforce. The services and training sessions provided advance career and personal growth and enhance skills needed for the evolving job market.
Contact:
Michaela Pippin
Communications Specialist, SVCE
O: 408-721-5301 x1020
michaela.pippin@svcleanenergy.org
