• Increase funding for workforce readiness initiatives included in Washington’s Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP) and Clean Energy Technologies Workforce Advisory Council (CETWAC) recommendations. The CCAP Workforce Planning Analysis highlights a need for more energy auditors, technical experts to assist with meeting building performance standards, and technicians for electrical appliance installation and maintenance. CETWAC’s 2025 legislative report calls for strengthened registered apprenticeship and career and technical education (CTE) for clean energy, expanding employment opportunities by accelerating deployment of clean energy projects, and advancing workforce development for under-represented groups.
• Re-instate higher levels of funding for CETWAC itself to continue as a primary coordinating body for clean energy workforce development in Washington, including the clean buildings workforce.  
• Re-instating and expanding funding can ensure that Washington’s clean buildings workforce is prepared to support scaled adoption of buildings upgrades by expanding training, outreach, and career-development pathways for installers, service and maintenance providers, engineers, and designers.

A skilled and adequately staffed workforce is essential for scaling the adoption of clean buildings upgrades and ensuring quality installations and maintenance that build confidence in the availability and quality of services. By supporting training, certifications, and market-aligned skills development, the state can ensure reliable, well-paid career opportunities.  

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Partner with community colleges, apprenticeship programs, and existing community-based workforce organizations to recruit and train workers from underserved communities. Providing business development assistance and access to training for small and minority owned contractors will ensure all communities share in the economic benefits of the clean buildings transition.  

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2027:

• The Washington State Legislature re-instates and expands funding for workforce readiness initiatives aligned with state clean buildings planning, in coordination with CETWAC and the Department of Labor & Industries.

2028:

• Maintain workforce partnerships, update training as technologies evolve, and coordinate with utilities, unions, community colleges, and industry groups.

2029:

• Continue to allocate funding for workforce readiness initiatives.