MCE’s Programs Spotlight series highlights the power of MCE: the power of people over profit. By putting more renewable energy on our shared grid, we clean up polluting fossil fuels. MCE’s efforts on climate justice and energy innovations help vulnerable populations qualify for programs like electric vehicles, energy storage, workforce development, and energy savings. We all deserve a fossil-free future that combats climate change and gives us cleaner air to breathe.
The clean energy economy grows every year to support new family-sustaining jobs and a well-trained workforce. A successful clean energy economy includes economic and environmental benefits that provide community benefits through a just transition. MCE is committed to supporting a just transition and creating long-term, well-paying employment opportunities in the renewable energy industry.
Workforce Education and Training
MCE supports job seekers wanting to join the green workforce through a variety of local training and workforce development programs that focus on underserved populations, including low-income residents and those who were previously incarcerated.
Mentor/Worker Matching and Training
MCE’s Workforce Education and Training (WE&T) Program grows the green economy by supporting local contractors and providing local trainees with access to workforce development opportunities. Since 2020, MCE has partnered with the Association for Energy Affordability (AEA) and Strategic Energy Innovations (SEI) to lower barriers for contractors who are interested in entering the electrification and energy efficiency field. The WE&T program matches job seekers to contractors within MCE’s service area and funds opportunities for paid on-the-job experience. The program also provides benefits to local energy efficiency contractors through green-collar workforce development and no-charge matching with prequalified, trained job seekers.
Electrification Workshop Series
MCE developed an online Electrification Workshop Series focused on clean energy, energy efficiency, electrification, and climate change solutions. Workshops cover technical topics about new and retrofit electrification projects, heat pump installations, multifamily electrification, and more. All webinars can be re-watched using the link above.
Supporting the Local Workforce
MCE is committed to furthering the transition to a clean economy, while supporting the local workforce and continuing to engage and transform our policies to reflect the needs of our communities.
Local Hire and Prevailing Wage Requirements
Renewable energy projects built in MCE’s service area require that 100% of employees hired during construction are paid at least prevailing wage and that at least 50% of the construction work hours (including contractors and subcontractors) are obtained from permanent residents who live within the same county.
Community Partnerships
MCE’s workforce development opportunities focus on public-private partnerships to construct local renewable energy projects and install energy efficiency retrofits, electric vehicle charging stations, and low-income residential solar. We have partnered with RichmondBUILD, Marin City Community Development Corporation, Rising Sun Center for Opportunity, Future Build, Association for Energy Affordability, Strategic Energy Innovations, and North Bay Workforce Alliance to provide training for careers in the clean energy economy.
Sustainable Workforce and Diversity Policy
MCE’s Sustainable Workforce and Diversity Policy defines our commitment to diversity and inclusion by contracting for power resources, procuring goods and services, and implementing hiring initiatives. The policy calls for quality training, apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs; fair wages; and direct hiring practices that promote diversity in the workplace.
Certify & Amplify
In order to increase the opportunities for our local businesses, MCE hosts a free, annual Certify & Amplify workshop to help local businesses connect to the benefits and opportunities available through the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) Supplier Diversity Program. Commonly referred to as “Supplier Diversity,” General Order) 156 is a statewide program that encourages utilities to prioritize contracts and subcontracts from businesses that meet diversity qualifications. That is, businesses must be 51% woman-, minority-, LGBTQ-, or disabled veteran-owned enterprises. After being certified as a diverse supplier, qualified businesses are listed in the CPUC Clearinghouse, which utilities can then access for their contracting needs to meet their contracting quotas.
