Workforce + Sustainability

To meet current and future demand, the construction industry workforce will need to be more diverse, skilled, and younger than ever before. Sustainable practices create greater interest among those looking to enter the industry, and those who gain green building knowledge and a green credential are more attractive and valuable to future employers.

Earth Advantage (with support from Energy Trust of Oregon and the Portland Clean Energy Fund) works with community-based partners to deliver customized training and professional accreditations to prepare tradespersons for a career in green building. 



Workforce Training Partners

Blueprint foundation logoconstructing hope logoOregon Tradeswomen logoEnergy Trust logoYouthbuild logoPCC logo

“It is transformative for our students to understand how building performance impacts our reliance on fossil fuels. We are grateful for the investment and look forward to continuing to work together to make more students aware of the career opportunities that have an impact on their communities. Wonderful to have these students exposed to this part of the industry!”

— Construction Training Director at Oregon Tradeswomen Inc.

Green Construction Workforce Training

We work with partners across Oregon to provide a variety of green building trainings to the future construction workforce. Our goals are to support our partner organizations and enhance their robust training programs to ensure these new tradespersons understand green building approaches and career pathways in residential construction.

Green Building Trainee Accreditation

Trainees that complete Earth Advantage's two-day green construction workforce program and pass an accreditation exam will earn our 'Green Building Trainee' credential. Partners, participants and employers find value in a professional accreditation provided by a trusted third-party green certification program.

Participant Spotlight

Hear the story of how one workforce training participant went on to earn an Earth Advantage scholarship and eventually land a job as a carpenter with one of the most well-recognized high performance builders in the country. Click the link to visit the Oregon Tradeswomen website to read the whole story.

Case Study: Youth Construction Camp

Learn how a dozen Portland-area youth of color took part in a week-long green building training to gain the skills, motivation and awareness to enter a career path in the construction trades. The program was organized by Earth Advantage, Blueprint Foundation, Energy Trust of Oregon, and Constructing Hope, as well as supported by several other collaborators.

Workforce Program Partner Opportunities

Earth Advantage works with local and community based partners to customize training projects and support a broad array of residential energy programs to meet workforce development goals. 

Our training offerings are flexible to support a wide range of program types (youth training, pre-apprenticeship, higher education, and professional development) and delivery methods (in-person, virtual, on-demand). Earth Advantage works with our partners to shape the curriculum to suit the needs and priorities of an individual program. 

Interested in integrating our training into your workforce program? Contact us