Powering the Skilled Trades

The Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator™ (GCTA) is a national training program focused on skilling and placing underrepresented job seekers into entry-level, high-demand energy careers through rapid competency and cohort learning. GCTA delivers instructor-led hands-on technical training – helping participants earn industry-recognized certifications, build job-ready skills, and launch meaningful careers in the growing clean tech sector.

Building Pathways to Skilled Trades and Clean Tech Careers

Demand for skilled tradespeople is surging — driven by a wave of retirements, growing power demand, and the ongoing energy transition. As the largest workforce development organization in the U.S., Goodwill Industries International is helping scale the workforce through national training models like the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator™ (GCTA), launched in 2024 with support from GM and Accenture. 

By 2030:

7,000 Trained

30 Sites

4 Training Pathways

Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator™ Training Pathways

The GCTA currently offers three industry-aligned training pathways – Solar Installation, HVAC/Heat Pump Installation, and Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment Technician (EVSE). These four- to five- week, instructor-led trainings blend hands-on, lab-based technical training with classroom instruction to prepare participants for entry-level careers in the clean energy sector. 

Across all pathways, participants earn the same core set of skills and certifications. These include customer service skills, problem solving skills, employment readiness, construction basics, workplace safety training, and the industry-recognized certifications OSHA-10, and CPR/First Aid. Graduates leave the program job-ready in weeks.

Solar Installation

This four-week course covers electrical energy fundamentals, safety standards, the basics of residential solar and storage installation, steps to commission a solar and storage system, common maintenance tasks, solar site evaluation and customer service excellence.

Graduates receive the following industry-recognized certifications:

Currently available in:

  • Albuquerque, NM
  • Denver, CO
  • Columbus, OH
  • Houston, TX
  • St Paul, NM 

HVAC/Heat Pump Installation

This five-week course covers HVAC fundamentals, building science, heat pump installation and maintenance, troubleshooting, customer service, energy modeling, and Manual J calculations.

Graduates receive the following industry-recognized certifications:

  • OSHA-10
  • First Aid/CPR
  • EPA 608 Universal Certification
  • Everblue HVAC/Heat Pump Installation

Currently available in:

  • Albuquerque, NM
  • Atlanta, GA
  • Columbia, SC
  • Greenville, SC
  • Houston, TX
  • Miami, FL
  • San Jose, CA

EVSE Technician

This four-week course covers electrical energy basics, electric vehicle (EV) supply equipment mechanics, commissioning and maintenance (preventative and corrective), energy systems and grid operations, EV batteries, proper and safe EV charging, electrical codes and safety standards, commissioning, and common maintenance tasks.

Graduates receive the following industry-recognized certifications:

  • OSHA-10
  • First Aid/CPR
  • SmarterHelp.’s EVSE O&M Certification
  • Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace Certification/National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70E

Currently available in:

  • Atlanta, GA
  • Denver, CO
  • Houston, TX
  • Santa Ana, CA

Future Trainee

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Employer & Funding Partners

Training Schedule

Training schedules vary by location and pathway— search below for what is offered in your area and reach out directly through the provided link. Check back regularly for schedule updates.

For general questions, contact GCTA@goodwill.org
Course Types
Locations
  • EVSE Technician
    Aurora, CO
    07/06/26
      -  07/31/26
    Apply by May 29, 2026
  • HVAC/ Heat Pump Installation
    San Jose, CA
    07/06/26
      -  08/07/26
  • Solar Installation
    Columbus, OH
    07/06/26
      -  07/31/26
    Apply by Jun 29, 2026
  • HVAC/ Heat Pump Installation
    Houston, TX
    07/13/26
      -  08/14/26
    Apply by Jul 3, 2026
  • Solar Installation
    Houston, TX
    07/13/26
      -  08/07/26
    Apply by Jul 3, 2026
  • EVSE Technician
    Santa Ana, CA
    08/03/26
      -  08/28/26
    Apply by Jul 28, 2026

GCTA National Strategic Partners

GCTA Impact Partners

GCTA Training Partners

Circular logo with a city skyline, curved highway, wind turbines, and a yellow sun, encircled by the slogan BUILDING PATHWAYS TO INFRASTRUCTURE JOBS.

$5M Boost for Goodwill’s Clean Tech Workforce Initiative

Goodwill® proudly participates in the Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs Grant Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Labor. This effort leverages the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator™ model to equip job seekers and career advancers with the employability and technical skills needed for good jobs in renewable energy and transportation sectors. A $5,000,000 grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor will support Goodwill and its subgrantees with program implementation through 2029. Goodwills provide an added 15 percent through in-kind contributions worth $750,000.

Success Stories

I would like for people to know that Goodwill does a lot more than just taking in and selling things…. Not only do they help people repurpose things, but they really use that to train people and train them well in various jobs. And that’s really important.

Ben

Solar Installation Student in Nashville
I would absolutely recommend this as a career and occupation for anyone looking to return to the workforce, or even if you’re new to the workforce, there is a place for you. And Goodwill is a place to start. They’re doing great things at Goodwill.

Donna

Electric vehicle charging maintenance graduate in Atlanta
They don’t just give you a certificate or a certification…we’re going to have people helping us throughout the process for us to find a job.

Patrick

Electric vehicle charging maintenance student in Atlanta
Michael was struggling with grief for his recently departed sister when he decided to resign from his job as a custom glass installer. He wanted a new career but wasn’t sure where to turn. He applied to the GCTA through Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee, Inc. The four-week solar installation program and weekly stipend were just what he needed to learn a new trade while also being able to pay his bills. After graduation, he secured employment with LightWave Solar, a Goodwill partner. “The instructors did such a phenomenal job, and it was truly one of the best short-term education programs I’ve received,” Michael said. “It not only prepared me for the field but also had a huge impact on my life when I needed it most.”

Michael

Solar Installation Student in Nashville

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