Through Workforce Pathways, GBA is providing workers and students in Allegheny, Beaver, Fayette, Greene, Washington, and Westmoreland counties with training, credentials, and knowledge to pursue well-paying jobs in the rapidly growing high-performance building design, operations, services and construction sectors.

GBA is partnering with regional trade unions, workforce development boards, private employers, PA CareerLink Agencies, high schools, technical institutes, and community and technical colleges to:

• Conduct high-performance, energy efficiency building trades training for new entrant and incumbent workers. Seminars will cover energy efficient building operations, facilitate clean energy career exploration, and highlight the growing demand for high performance building and sustainability skills emerging in the region.

• Present industry-recognized upskilling programs and stackable credentials such as the Green Professional Training (GPRO) Operations & Maintenance course and U.S. Green Building Council LEED Green Associate training, in the rural project area.

Curriculum will help students and workers develop in-demand skills and acquire credentials that position them to enter the clean energy workforce or enhance their current position. In addition to LEED, programs may involve Living Future Accreditation, WELL Accredited Professional credentials, Just Communities Accredited Practitioner (AP) credentials, BPI Certified Professional, and other sustainable construction and building performance enhancement credentials and skills.

• Coordinate and host youth workforce training seminars and high school educational conferences to increase environmental literacy and exposure to high performance building, sustainability and clean energy careers. Seminar and conference curriculum will provide foundational green skills workforce training, foster interest in the construction industry, and prepare youth for a sustainable future.

According to the 2023 Energy Efficiency Workforce Needs Report from the PA Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), Pennsylvania will require a significant growth in efficiency and electrification employment to meet increasing demand, with an estimated 2,000+ Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration (HVAC/R) Mechanics and Installers needed every year for the next 10 years – nearly four and half times the current average rate of employees entering the efficiency workforce each year. 

A recent Federal Reserve report also shows that individuals in rural Pennsylvania and other states face higher barriers to employment than other workers in the state. These include a lack of reliable transportation options, poor internet access, and lack of affordable childcare.These types of barriers can prevent workers from accessing the training and education opportunities required to enter the clean energy and high-performance building workforce.

To address these challenges, GBA is partnering with regional and local organizations to conduct outreach and engagement with marginalized rural communities. Partners include Southwest Corner Workforce Development Board (serving Beaver, Washington, and Greene Counties), Southwest Training Services, Inc. (serving Washington and Greene Counties), Westmoreland Fayette Workforce Investment Board, and Intermediate Unit 1 (serving Fayette, Greene, and Washington Counties), as well as trade unions, community and technical colleges, and private employers.