BOSTON (January 31, 2023) — The Sponsors of Mass Save today announced the first round of Workforce Partnership Grant recipients, a new grant established to grow and diversify the energy efficiency workforce by supporting organizations in environmental justice communities.

Funding totaling $343,000 will be distributed among five diverse and deserving organizations based on each organization's unique needs. Recipients include: The Asian American Civic Association, Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, Caribbean Youth Club, South Middlesex Opportunity Council - Green Jobs Academy, and Local Initiatives Support (LISC) Boston.

"We're proud to offer this grant to help these outstanding community organizations remove barriers that minority communities often face when entering the clean energy economy," said Eversource Director of Residential Energy Efficiency Kate Peters. "We know that a diverse workforce is essential to ensuring that all communities and people can access our nation-leading programs to save money and reduce energy use, and equity in energy efficiency is a top priority of the 2022-2024 Energy Efficiency Plan. The Sponsors of Mass Save are committed to rowing a more diverse, more inclusive workforce to maximize the benefits of a clean energy future for all communities and customers across the commonwealth."

Each organization will use the funding to develop solutions and access to the clean energy workforce with the support of the Mass Save Sponsors including:

• Recruitment and training of weatherization and HVAC technicians
• Career readiness programming
• Weatherization and Crew Chief trainings in Spanish
• Outreach to 400+ entrants to increase the energy efficiency workforce
• Reaching Massachusetts-designed Environmental Justice Communities and Priority Groups

"The Caribbean Youth Club is grateful for the Mass Save Workforce Partnership Grant that will support our Dreamers Financial Independence Track (FIT) said Nickey Nesbeth, Executive Director of the Caribbean Youth Club. "The grand and partnership are critical starting points in the development of viable job training and meaningful work opportunities for the immigrant youth of Boston."

"Through the support of the Workforce Partnership Grant provided by the Sponsors of Mass Save, Green Jobs Academy will be able to provide additional support in the training of current and future home weatherization workforce," said Evan Pagliuca, Program Manager at the Green Jobs Academy. "This grant will support the development and implementation of training courses offered in Spanish, which will allow Green Jobs Academy to better serve the English language learning community - Home weatherization has many very specific terms and providing training in a learner's native language will reduce the barriers to entering the workforce. Green Jobs Academy is thankful to the Mass Save Sponsors for the Workforce Partnership Grant for allowing us to expand our support for Spanish-speaking home weatherization workers."

An additional $250,000 in Workforce Partnership Grant funding will be available for new applicants in the 2023 and 2024 funding rounds. Applications for the next round open February 1, 2023.

For additional information visit https://www.masssave.com/en/community/workforce-partnership-grant

About Mass Save:

Mass Save is a collaborative of Massachusetts' electric and natural gas utilities and energy efficiency service providers including Berkshire Gas, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, Liberty, National Grid, and Unitil. We empower residents, businesses, and communities to make energy efficient upgrades by offering a wide range of services, rebates, incentives, trainings, and information.