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 program offered by Earth Advantage and designed to provide home performance, HVAC and plumbing contractors with job-ready new workers who are trained for success and ready to meet the growing demand for heat pump and water heater installations.
The HERO Academy offers a next-step training program with position-specific technical skills, workplace preparation, and work-based learning (WBL) to prepare new workers for entry-level positions as Ductless Heat Pump or Water Heater Installers within the residential sector.
Fill out the Employer Interest Form.
Cohort Timing & Job Areas
The HERO Academy will offer three cohorts of trainings, each focused on one career pathway:- Ductless Heat Pump Installer
- Cohort 1: Oct 2025 - Jan 2026
- Job Interviews: Jan 2026
- Water Heater Installer
- Cohort 2: Feb - May 2026
- Job Interviews: May 2026
- Ductless Heat Pump Installer
- Cohort 3: June - Sept 2026
- Job Interviews: Sept 2026
A Phased, Low-Risk Model for Employer Engagement
We’ve designed HERO based on employer feedback and with the goal of reducing the risk of hiring new workers while ensuring quality training and support throughout the process.
During the HERO program, trainees become employees of a small group of vetted, trusted contractors (our "Trainer Partners") during their full 15-week paid training. Our Training Partners are:
- Ductless Heat Pump Installer Cohorts:
Mt. Hood Ductless, The Heat Pump Store & GreenSavers - Water Heater Installer Cohort:
Great Northwest Installations & GreenSavers
By providing specialized training and job-ready candidates, HERO Academy helps businesses develop a strong, dependable workforce pipeline while benefiting from financial incentives to offset an employer’s own internal onboarding and training costs.
If you’re looking to grow your team, join us as an Employer Partner and get early access to the next wave of talent!
Employer Participation & Benefits
Partnering with HERO Academy offers Employer Partners several benefits:
- Access Skilled, Job Ready Workers
We understand that hiring a new worker is a big commitment – that's why HERO Academy employers gain access to a pipeline of pre-trained, vetted new hires specializing in heat pump or water heater installation.
- Wage Offsets for New Hires
Sign up with our partners at WorkSource to leverage new worker wage offsets and hiring support to reduce internal onboarding and training costs. (Exact amounts are still being finalized)
- Upskill your Existing Workforce
Participating employers can also enroll 1-2 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.
- Achieve Workforce Goals
Meet workforce diversity and utilization goals required under PCEF while demonstrating your company’s commitment to equitable workforce development.
- Stay Competitive & Expand Capacity
With new incentives driving demand for home energy retrofits, HERO gives you the skilled workforce needed to seize new business opportunities under 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 CCB CE credits for professional development.
HERO Program Model
HERO Academy Trainees will:
- Graduate from 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 ductless heat pump or water heater installation.
- Complete 12-week Work-Based Learning (WBL) hosted by our Trainer Partners in a supportive real-world learning environment and while receiving ongoing in-field mentorship, job-shadowing and classroom training.
- Earn a minimum $25/hour wage as a full-time (min. 30 hrs/week) employee during the 15-weeks of HERO Academy participation (employer wage offsets provided).
- Receive a professional-grade toolkit ($2,500 value) provided to each graduate to keep and use in their future career.
- Access wrap-around services (stipends for childcare, transportation, etc.) to ensure they have what they need to succeed.
- Participate in interview events with prospective Employer Partners to land job opportunities post-graduation.
What to Expect
- Sign Up – Submit an interest form (link below) and attend a short employer orientation.
- Engage – During training, join for short classroom sessions and in-field mentoring opportunities to meet with trainees throughout the program. As a bonus, 1-2 of your existing workers can participate and get trained as well!
- Interview & Hire – Participate in matchmaking events and interviews to convert a trained HERO Academy trainee into a full-time employee!
- Access Hiring Support – Receive onboarding guidance and post-hire wage support from our partners at WorkSource.
Join Us!
Get involved and reserve your spot as a HERO employer partner today!Submit the Interest Form below or reach out to schedule an Intro Call at workforce@earthadvantage.org