Become a HERO Academy Employer Partner

The Workforce Challenge

The residential construction industry faces a skilled labor shortage, making it difficult for home performance, HVAC, and plumbing contractors to find reliable, trained workers. As demand for energy-efficient retrofits grows, the gap between industry needs and the available workforce continues to widen.
 

Build your Workforce, Grow your Business, Shape the Future

The Home Energy Retrofit Occupations (HERO) Academy is a training initiative designed to provide home performance, HVAC and plumbing contractors with skilled, job-ready trainees to meet the growing demand for heat pumps and water heaters.

The HERO Academy offers a next-step training program with position-specific technical skills, workplace preparation, and on-the-job training (OJT) to prepare new workers for entry-level positions installing either Heat Pumps or Water Heaters in the residential sector.

By providing specialized training and job-ready candidates, HERO Academy helps businesses develop a strong, dependable workforce while benefitting from substantial financial incentives to offset training costs.
 

Employer Participation & Benefits

Employers and contractors in the Home Retrofit industry are looking for opportunities to hire entry-level new workers who are reliable, trainable, have good work ethic, and are motivated to work on upgrading our existing housing stock. The HERO Academy will offer career-specific training for new workers with these goals in mind, and will be taught by existing contractors who are subject matter experts and industry leaders.

The HERO Academy can help Employers:

• Vet and hire highly trained New Workers to satisfy current workforce needs
• Meet diverse workforce (low income, people of color, women) utilization goals required under the Portland Clean Energy Fund
• Build capacity and take advantage of more business opportunities to meet increasing demand for home energy upgrades (due to new and emerging incentive programs like PCEF, the IRA & IIJA)

Employers who participate in the HERO Academy will be:

• Provided with new worker wage offsets, training, support, and compensation for their involvement
• Able to interview, host, and hire graduates from the HERO Academy to participate in three months of on-the-job training (OJT)
• Invited to participate in classroom and in-field specialization training (for new workers as well as employers' existing workers)
• Routinely surveyed to identify their specific needs for new workers

Training & Career Pathway Focus:
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The program will train new workers in two pathways: Air Source Heat Pump Installer and Heat Pump Water Heater Installer. Heat Pumps are a crucial technology to reach climate goals and are growing in demand. This focus will addresses crucial skills gaps in this sector and ensures contractors have capacity to implement IRA home energy rebates while offering high road jobs and sustainable careers to new workers from under-represented backgrounds in the construction sector. ​​​​​​​

Why Participate?

Partnering with HERO Academy offers employers several benefits:

• Access Skilled, Job Ready Workers
  HERO Academy employers gain access to a pipeline of pre-trained, vetted new hires specializing in heat pump or water heater installation.
   
• Financial Incentives
  Receive stipends, wage offsets, and hiring support to reduce training costs. (Exact amounts are still being finalized, but funding will be substantial to ensure a strong return on investment)
   
• Low Risk, High Reward
  We understand that hiring a new worker is a big commitment – that's why HERO Academy provides trainees with ongoing mentorship and wrap around support to help ensure success.
   
• Upskill your Existing Workforce
  Participating employers can also enroll their current employees in portions of the HERO Academy at no cost, including the opportunity to earn their EPA 608 certification and receive in-field mentorship.
   
• Industry Growth & Business Opportunity
  Oregon's residential retrofit industry is facing a labor shortage due to an aging workforce, yet demand for skilled heat pump and water heater installers remains high – participating in HERO Academy ensures your business stays competitive and meets the growing market demand.
   
• Meet Workforce Goals & Expand Capacity
  HERO Academy supports workforce diversity and utilization goals required under PCEF while helping businesses prepare for upcoming market shifts, including new incentive / rebate programs like PCEF, Energy Trust of Oregon, and the Inflation Reduction Act.
   
• Earn Continuing Education (CE) Credits
  Participating businesses can earn NATE, BPI, and or OR CCB CE credits for professional development.

Hero Academy trainees will:

• Complete an 8 to 10-week, state-certified Pre-Apprenticeship to gain fundamental construction skills and employment readiness training
• Attend Info Sessions to learn more about the program and career opportunities, apply to participate, and complete interviews.
• Complete 3-week intensive hands-on Specialization Training taught by contractors and industry professionals in order to earn certifications (EPA Section 608 Technician) and become work / field-ready in heat pump or water heater installation
• Complete 12-week On-The-Job Training (OJT) hosted by employer partners in a supportive real-world learning environment and while receiving ongoing in-field mentorship and classroom training
• Earn a minimum $23.50 / hour wage as a full-time employee during the course of HERO Academy participation (employer stipends + wage offsets provided)
• Access wrap-around services (toolsets, stipends for childcare / transportation, etc.) to ensure they have what they need to succeed
• Continue working for the hosting employer on an ongoing basis post-graduation

How it Works

1. Sign Up & Attend an Employer Orientation – Learn more about the program and expectations.
2. Host a Trainee – We'll help identify the best fit for your team.
3. Train & Mentor – HERO provides structured training and mentorship support to ensure success.
4. Receive Stipends & Wage Support – Funding is available to reduce employer costs.
5. Build your Workforce – Convert a trained HERO Academy trainee into a full-time employee!

 

Join Us!

The HERO Academy aims to create long-term career pathways for Portland's priority populations while helping businesses grow sustainably.

Want to learn more? Get involved and reserve your spot as a HERO employer partner today!

Submit an Interest Form or schedule an Intro Call at workforce@earthadvantage.org
 

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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.