GEP: 
HVAC-R update: Our incumbent worker program is intended to create inclusion for BIPOC residents in the expanding Climate and Green energy jobs. This is an exciting moment in our program. We are in the middle of the second cohort of our HVAC-R class, with all 30 Program participants diligently preparing for their Universal EPA 608 test. We have been holding study hall every week as well. As you know, this class cohort is double the last.  Several folks have already completed their OSHA 30-hour certification (which is done on their own time). We have recently invested in hands-on equipment, allowing folks to learn hands-on Heat Pump skills that we will start in a few weeks. 


HERS Rater (Energy Auditor) update: We have great news! Our first cohort of HERS Raters has passed the first of the four tests to become certified HERS Raters!!! We have scheduled their second test for next week and are close to completing this complex certification.

---

GEP Open Sessions, October 29th and November 12th @ 6pm

Exciting News!
​
Our Green Equity Partnership classes are back this November! We’re thrilled to announce the second cycle of our HVAC-R Basics program and the launch of our newest program, Green Project Lead.
These programs are tailored for contractors and their teams to skill up and step into the green economy.

Want to learn more? Join us at one of our open houses! Tuesday, October 29 at 6 PM Tuesday, November 12 at 6 PM
RSVP HERE 

---

Green Equity Partnership HVAC Graduation

​The recent Green Equity Partnership graduation was a powerful reminder of our commitment to building an inclusive and equitable workforce. We celebrated the achievements of individuals who have completed the HVAC-R Basics program, gaining the skills needed to thrive in the growing green economy. These graduates, many from BIPOC communities, have overcome barriers to access opportunities in emerging industries. Their dedication and perseverance highlight the importance of expanding career pathways that promote both economic equity and environmental progress.
This milestone reflects the collaborative efforts of our partners, employers, and the broader community who are working with us to create real change. By providing training and support, we are ensuring that individuals traditionally left out of these opportunities have the chance to succeed. As we look forward to future cycles, we remain committed to growing the Green Equity Partnership and advancing our vision of a workforce that reflects the diversity and strength of our community.

---

Congratulations! 100% EPA 608 Universal pass rate for our first Green Equity Partnership HVAC-R Basics class members! ​

Our HVAC-R Basic class for community members who are already working sets class members on the path to deep skills in building decarbonization. 100% of class members passed this critical, online test. Everyone also achieved the Hot Works certification. 
Technicians are required to pass a US EPA-approved test to earn Section 608 Technician Certification in order to who maintain, service, repair, or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants into the atmosphere must be certified. ~ www.epa.gov 
Next up for class members: OSHA 30 certification and training for heat pump installation, blue print reading and sizing HVAC ducts. Classes will continue 1 evening a week (4 hours), every week, for the rest of the 25 week program. 

---

Creating BIPOC Inclusion to Quality Jobs

Action for Equity’s Green Equity Partnership classes kicked off training for continuing technical building decarbonization education and deep skills in Boston’s Black and BIPOC community.
April 2nd, 2024 – Action for Equity and its Green Equity Partnership are excited to announce the start of our building decarbonization classes—right in the heart of Dorchester in our Four Corners training space.  Both HVAC basics including three key certifications and HERS Rater training are being offered to community-based employers and their workers to increase inclusion in the emerging green economy.  This is community members getting green deep skills! We will be offering these trainings at least twice more, and a new program for Green Project Leads, all funded by Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.  Get in touch if you are interested​.

---

BNN Radio Interview 

On March 9th Vivian Izuchi from BNN WBCA radio 102.9FM hosted our very own Tarshia Green-Williams (Deputy Director) and Ashe Brooks-Cook (Former Co-director for GEP). She brought us on her show to  discuss our mission to create a region with an equitable approach to new development, racial equity, transit justice, housing justice, jobs equity, & more! To listen to this interview see below.

---

---

Action for Equity launches the Green Equity Partnership in Four Corners

Thank you to everyone who attended the lauch of the Green Equity Partnership. It was great to see so many faces in person that we haven’t been able to connect with. The kick-off celebration of our Green Equity Partnership (GEP) has launched us forward to training existing construction workers in the skills they need for new green technology for building decarbonization. State and city officials and local construction contractors joined us and shared their commitment to inclusion. The Green Equity Partnership is funded by a 3-year, $1.2 million grant from the Massachusetts Center for Clean Energy. 

Mariama White-Hammond, Chief of Environment, Energy & Open Space in the City of Boston, said, “Climate change is a crisis that needs to be addressed. But the reality is many communities are already facing economic crises. The exciting thing about partnerships like this is that we don’t have to choose. We can do both. We can raise up our communities. It is about getting people good jobs so people can stay living in our communities. I believe in this work.”

Stafford Lewis of Alpha Building said this is different from what has been done before and that he was looking forward to hiring people from the community, saying, “I believe in this community, and that is why I’ll stick around to employ people from this program.”

All of our speakers spoke of the need to be intentional to design routes to inclusion for Black and BIPOC residents.
Since the launch, three more small contractors have asked for more information on becoming a GEP employer partner. We are continuing discussions with our training partners, Roxbury Community College and BPS Adult Education. We are also tapping into a network of expert Black trainers to learn how to teach experienced tradespeople how to be skilled and successful technical instructors. 
​
We are looking for both more employers and technical instructors.  

• Are you an employer looking to expand your building decarbonization business?  
• Are you a skilled tradesperson interested in sharing your skills as an instructor? 

Get in touch: [email protected]

---

Employers, Community Members-- Welcome to the Green Equity Partnership

"As a Black contractor in Boston, the Green Equity Partnership will provide the upskilling my employees will need to do tomorrow’s green work, so I can compete in the new green economy.  Employers like me sit on the GEP advisory committee so we get to shape the program the way we need.  This is for the people now working for and with us—not just about new hires.
There are still spaces open for more employers to join the GEP.  Are you committed to quality jobs, deep skills, and community inclusion? This is a tremendous opportunity.  "
~ Stafford Lewis, Alpha Building

Inclusion now. The Green Equity Partnership is being launched this fall with classes starting in January 2024.  It is a new model of a Joint Community—Employer Skills Partnership that will focus on inclusion of Black and BIPOC residents and employers in the green economy.  GEP will provide deep skills technical training for building decarbonization for both retrofit and new builds.  

The Green Equity Partnership’s focus is on ensuring inclusion now, beginning with this economic expansion, so we are not playing economic catch up later.  We will also work together—employers and community—to learn how to access this growing market. 

Why we need a Green Equity Partnership.  Deep skills are necessary for building decarbonization. Almost 13,000 new high performance building jobs are projected by 2030.  There are already 3,000 buildings in Boston that are required to increase their energy efficiency under new City of Boston requirements.  All new buildings have new technology requirements.  By 2024, new refrigerants will be used in new heat pumps.  GEP is focused on training for technical positions of heat pump installation, HERS raters, electricians, and green project leads—all needed for building decarbonization. 

Employer partnership spaces open for MBE/community contractors committed to quality jobs, deep skills, community inclusion.  Our training starts with upskilling current employees and supervisors so our contractors have deep skills for the changing technology of today’s green economy.  As our employers grow, we will expand to train new employees.  We are committed to giving participating employees the chance to continue growing their technical skills and connecting to job opportunities.

Training is fully funded.  Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has awarded the GEP $1.2 million for three years.  Some funding for wages during training is included.  Supervisors can be trained in new skills, too. ​
​
Want to learn more?  Get in touch.  Tarshia Green-Williams, Jobs Director, 857-266-3559,  [email protected]

---

Green Equity Partnership 
​
Program Specifications
For more information: [email protected] 
Program overview 
The Green Equity Partnership (GEP), led by Action for Equity, is an incumbent worker training and advancement project serving new hires and experienced workers needing green upskilling with a focus on inclusion, meeting the needs of multiple employers and their employees, and deep skill acquisition. The GEP is a pilot demonstration project intended to build a foundation for a continuing partnership.

Target subsector
Building decarbonization

Target skills/pathways
Heat pump installation, maintenance
HERS Rater trainee for certification
​Green project lead Electrician

Target location and constituents
Focus on employers hiring from historically excluded Black and BIPOC communities including the Fairmount Corridor in Boston

Project timeline and program delivery sequence 

• July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2026
  

2024: Heat pump-experienced
Heat pump-new hires
HERS Rater trainees
Green project lead capstone

• 2025: Heat pump-experienced 

Heat pump—new hires
Electrical HERS Rater trainees
Green project lead capstone
​
Start-up funding
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MCEC)

Innovations for transformation
GEP provides integrated multi-modal services Foundation skills including technical foundation skills like blue print reading and online test taking Best workforce development practices for Black and other excluded workers.

Governance
Joint community and employer oversight committee with advocacy partners

Advocacy partners
Action for Equity and Jobs Equity Campaign Committee
Browning the Green Space
Massachusetts Climate Action Network

Expected training and service partners
Madison Park Votech
Roxbury Community College
New Ecology
ABCD

Goals for labor market impacts
Increase access to quality jobs
Create entry into fast emerging green economy for excluded businesses and residents
​Create new labor market institution

---

Green Equity Partnership Background Information

---

Welcome to the Green Equity Partnership

We are thrilled to announce that Massachusetts Clean Energy Center has funded our Green Equity Partnership , a Program that will create inclusion for people of color to the new Green Energy Economy. This is a fantastic win for our community, employers, workers, and all. Today's opportunities... today's needs.

​