Registered Apprentices in clean energy jump from 15 to over 1,000 in two years

The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC), Institute for Workplace Skills and Innovation (IWSI) America, and other partners have announced the release of a 2025 report, “Expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in Clean Energy,” highlighting the transformative impact of the Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network. This collaborative effort is expanding Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs across the clean energy sector, supporting one of the fastest-growing industries in the U.S. economy.

Clean energy jobs now employ nearly 3.5 million Americans and are growing at twice the rate of overall U.S. job growth. Yet the rapid evolution of this sector has exposed a critical gap: a shortage of standardized, scalable and industry-aligned workforce training.

Enter the ACE Network, led by IREC and supported by IWSI and eight other partner organizations. The ACE Network provides technical assistance and vetted resources to help employers, training providers and other organizations start or join Registered Apprenticeship programs. This initiative was supported by U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) funding through June 2025. The ACE Network will continue to provide free technical assistance to support Registered Apprenticeships in clean energy and build on the achievements that are documented in this report.

Key accomplishments of the ACE Network have included:

• Growing the number of Registered Apprentices from just 15 to over 1,000 in two years.
• Providing technical assistance to more than 200 employers.
• Developing three National Guideline Standards (NGS) that provide models for apprenticeship programs in-demand occupations in clean energy, such as Construction Craft Laborer, Weatherization Technician, and Energy Auditor.
• Launching innovative RA models in heat pump installation and digital media for clean energy employers.

“Clean energy companies need a pathway to hire and retain thousands of skilled employees, and Registered Apprenticeships perfectly fit the bill,” said Susan Biszewski-Eber, senior manager of apprenticeship programs at IREC. “We have been so thrilled to join IWSI and other partners to support more than a thousand new apprenticeships at dozens of energy companies. In the future, we look forward to expanding our efforts to develop even more apprenticeship opportunities in clean energy sectors like solar and storage, home energy performance, EVs and many more.”

IWSI America served as the primary provider of technical assistance and registration support, drawing on global best practices to help employers navigate RA systems and launch sustainable programs. A full list of partner organizations can be found on the program website.

Despite the program’s momentum, the report also revealed structural barriers, including the non-recognition of Solar Installer as an official occupation by DOL, lack of intermediary access to the RAPIDS tracking database, and slow or inconsistent RA program approval processes across states.

To address these issues, the report outlines a series of policy recommendations to streamline apprenticeship registration, increase flexibility, and expand NGS for emerging clean energy roles. It also underscores the need for continued investment in sector-specific apprenticeship intermediaries to ensure long-term workforce success.

Organizations interested in receiving technical assistance from the ACE Network can complete the intake form on the program website.

News item from IREC