Home Energy Retrofit Occupations
(HERO) Academy
Job-Ready Training. Robust Support. Real Career Opportunities.
The HERO Academy offered by Earth Advantage is a paid, 15-week workforce training program that prepares pre-apprenticeship graduates for high-demand jobs installing energy-efficient heat pump and water heating systems in homes across Portland, Oregon.Designed to address workforce shortages and support communities that are under-represented in the residential construction industry, HERO connects highly motivated new workers with leading local contractors for technical and on-the-job training to become Heat Pump or Water Heater Installers.
Trainees are paid $25/hour and work 30 hours per week during the program while they complete specialized job-readiness training, gain hands-on experience in the real-world, and receive personalized support during their training. HERO graduates are equipped with the skills, confidence, and connections to start a full-time career in this growing residential construction and clean energy field.
What Makes HERO Unique?
- $25/hour wage payments for the entire 15-week program (covered by HERO)
- Complimentary $2,500+ toolset for each trainee upon graduation
- Real-world training hosted by knowledgeable contractor partners
- Dedicated career transition support and hiring events
- Based in Portland, Oregon and focused on providing equitable access to well-paid residential construction careers
How to Get Involved
Trainees
If you’re a pre-apprenticeship graduate looking for a new career path in residential construction or the mechanical trades — HERO is your opportunity to gain paid, hands-on experience while building the technical skills needed for in-demand, high-road jobs as either a Heat Pump or Water Heater Installer. These careers offer:- Family-supporting wages and growth opportunities
- Opportunities for advancement in HVAC, plumbing, and energy efficiency
- Job security in a growing sector backed by municipal investments
- A sense of purpose in helping your community improve home health and reduce energy costs
Employers
Ready to grow your team with highly-trained, job-ready talent? HERO graduates have gained extensive technical training installing heat pumps or water heaters in real-world scenarios. HERO makes it easy to grow your crew and company without the typical risk or overhead. By engaging as an Employer Partner, you can:- Meet and evaluate trainees during the HERO program
- Provide professional development opportunities for your current staff by inviting them to participate in select HERO training sessions and in-field mentorship activities (ex. EPA 608 certification)
- Hire graduates who’ve been trained and mentored in the field by top instructors who are contractors themselves
- Access wage reimbursements through our WorkSource OJT partner
- Gain recognition as a leader in Oregon’s residential and equity-focused workforce efforts while meeting your business needs
About the HERO Program Team
Earth Advantage developed the HERO Academy to provide hands-on training, personalized support, and equitable access to bridge the gap between interest and high-road careers in the residential clean energy sector. This collaborative effort brings together nonprofit trainers, community-based organizations, industry contractors, and workforce equity leaders to ensure participants gain both the skills and connections necessary to succeed.
- Earth Advantage is a nonprofit training provider committed to building a more informed, inclusive, and climate-resilient residential construction workforce.
- Constructing Hope is a BOLI certified pre-apprenticeship program in Portland with a mission to help low income adults rebuild their lives through careers in construction.
- GreenNW is a contractor-led nonprofit focused on workforce training and technical excellence in ductless heat pump installation.
- Great Northwest Installations is a high-performance water heater, ductless heat pump & plumbing contractor with expertise in training and hands-on mentorship for heat pump systems.
- EnerCity Collaborative is a nonprofit Building Performance Institute (BPI) training provider advancing clean energy equity by training new workers, supporting BIPOC contractors, and empowering homeowners.
- Oregon Tradeswomen ensures access and opportunity for women and gender-expansive people in the skilled trades.
- Portland YouthBuilders offers education, vocational training, resources, and support for low-income youth to launch a career in construction.
Want to learn more about who we are? Visit our About Us page.
Questions?
Contact the Earth Advantage Workforce Team at workforce@earthadvantage.org
This project is made possible thanks to support from the Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund (PCEF) and is offered in partnership with the Portland Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program Consortium.