With the massive hiring needs before the industry and the stark reality that many people have never considered a career in energy, nor understand the paths to start one, CEWD continues to collaborate with organizations that can help expose individuals to and prepare them for sector employment. The latest such collaboration comes from the Center’s partnership with UnidosUS, a national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization, on ELEVA (Exito de Latinos Educated Via Apprenticeships) to spur career connections.

ELEVA is designed to make energy careers, education, and opportunities more accessible to UnidosUS affiliate communities. Participants in ELEVA will go through an 8-10-week pre-apprenticeship program to prepare for successful candidacy in Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Powered by funding from the U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeships Build America 2 grant, inaugural ELEVA programming will focus on building in Atlanta, Chicago, and Phoenix.

The Hispanic community currently represents approximately 20% of the United States workforce and is projected to make up nearly 30% of the United States population by 2050. Accordingly, ELEVA is expected to scale as additional energy employers and community non-profits in the UnidosUS network explore collaboration and partnerships that can spur workforce development programs.

Contact Cornell Johnson to learn more about ELEVA and creating partnerships with UnidosUS affiliates in your community.