 San Diego’s ambitious clean energy and decarbonization goals demand a skilled, diverse workforce. SEI believes that creating a sustainable future means empowering all communities with pathways to high-wage, high-growth careers in the clean energy economy.
That’s why we are thrilled to announce that SEI, alongside partners Resource Innovations (RI) and the Metropolitan Area Advisory Committee on Anti-Poverty of San Diego County (MAAC), has been selected to spearhead a new initiative: The San Diego Regional Energy Network (SDREN) Workforce Training and Capacity Building Program. This comprehensive, system-wide initiative will serve 2,200 individuals entering or upskilling in energy efficiency, electrification and decarbonization industries. “With this project, we are focusing on enhancing the great work that is already being done in San Diego through collaboration, refinement and streamlining rather than creating new initiatives,” says SEI Program Director Tiffany Mrotek. “We believe all the pieces are already here; it’s all about creating harmony in the workforce system to better serve San Diego.”
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By Isaí Rea  Paid Work Experience participants from Eco Performance Builders enjoying a care package from SEI. Pictured left to right: Anderson Gomez, Alec Speckenbach, and Ronin Daoheauang. The Energize Careers team would like to highlight one of our pivotal partners in the Green Workforce Pathways program: Eco Performance Builders, Inc.
Based in Walnut Creek, California, EPB is a home performance and electrification retrofit company dedicated to transforming homes into energy-efficient, all-electric, comfortable, and healthier living spaces. Since the inception of our program, EPB has hired 21 participants from our Paid Work Experience program, which connects job seekers to entry-level green trade positions with trusted local contractors in MCE service areas. A special thank-you goes to Tami Kerr, Client Service Representative, for being a wonderful partner. Her support ensures a smooth transition for our program participants, and her dedication has been invaluable.  Atire Miller presents during the HBCU pathway energy challenge in the spring. Fourteen students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) successfully completed exciting summer internships after participating in the HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway. This program, a collaboration between SEI, E4 Carolinas, and several HBCUs, is designed to prepare the next generation of energy and sustainability leaders.
By Emily Mallen  Seven in 10 youth report being worried about climate change, and they are looking for the skills on how to respond, says a recent survey from the Institute for Sustainability & Social Justice at Sacred Heart University.
One way to leave youth empowered? Give them the education and tools they need to actively make a difference in their communities. As such, SEI is excited to announce the launch of the new 2025 Energizing San Diego Challenge! This challenge, which will run in the fall and spring, is an exciting opportunity for middle and high school students in San Diego to inspire sustainable change while learning about energy use and environmental leadership.  School gardens play an important role in our school communities as a space for learning and connecting with nature. Yet, while 50% of California schools have dedicated garden spaces, fewer than 9% actively use them.
Not on our watch! SEI has been a long supporter of garden education throughout the Bay Area, and is continuing to do so through their latest program: Energize Schools Garden Hub. ESGH is providing free services to elementary schools throughout San Francisco to help school communities engage with their garden. Teachers and school community members want to be empowered and excited to support their school gardens, and ESGH meets you where you are. We offer training workshops, instructional support, maintenance planning support, and access to garden curriculum and resources.  Dear Friends and Supporters of SEI: It is with a heavy heart that I share the difficult news that our AmeriCorps grant, which supported SEI’s Climate Corps Education Outside program, was canceled without notice, along with 1,000 other program grants nationwide. This vital program has brought garden-based education to more than 10,000 children in San Francisco and San Mateo Counties each year since 2019. As a result, we face the heartbreaking reality that 29 dedicated garden educators — individuals who have inspired curiosity, nurtured growth, and built community in Bay Area school gardens — will be losing their jobs. Despite this sudden and immediate loss of AmeriCorps funding, we are currently able to retain our 29 Fellows until May 15 through alternative funding sources. Our goal is to extend this timeline so that students, teachers, and Fellows can experience as much closure and stability as possible. We are urgently calling on our community for emergency support to help bridge this gap. Your generosity will make a direct impact. With $30,000, we could extend the fellowships for an additional week. With $60,000, we could extend until the end of May. Would you please help us extend our garden educator fellowships by one or more weeks? Every little bit helps. Please donate to SEI today through May 15, and your donation will be dedicated to CCEO.
We are deeply grateful for your support and thank you for believing in our mission and the power of community action. In gratitude, Cyane Dandridge SEI is proud of the incredible and inspiring sustainability leaders who serve on our board. Today, we spotlight Alyssa Thomas, Program Officer of Invest in Our Future. For 10 years, Alyssa has been committed to building just and equitable economic opportunities for communities, businesses, and workers.
 Participants of the E4 Carolinas HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway Initiative #1 The HBCU Energy Leadership Pathway is more than just a program. It’s a gateway to meaningful careers in energy for students in the Carolinas. "Yet, this program is about so much more than just career readiness — it’s about empowering our future leaders and making sure HBCU students have a seat at the table in shaping the future of energy," says Aleena Oakley, the HBCU Pathway Program Coordinator. "Our goal is to provide HBCU students with the skills, mentorship, and opportunities they need to thrive in the energy sector."
Offered by energy trade association E4 Carolinas, in partnership with SEI, the Pathway builds a workforce ready to drive innovation and equity in energy. The goal is to increase the number of HBCU students pursuing careers in this vital industry. Open to students of all majors, this program provides hands-on experiences, mentorship, and career development opportunities. Ken Canavan, President of E4 Carolinas mentioned: "As a society, all we do, all we create, all we innovate depends on energy. A career in energy is not only personally rewarding but provides the foundation for today’s society. This program provides students with an opportunity to engage in this important field and employers exceptionally qualified candidates. It is a win for all." By Isaí Rea  Tyler (left) and Christopher (right) during a class tour at J&J Air Systems, now both employed at Supreme Air Systems. Goodwill of Silicon Valley’s Career Technical Education program empowers students to secure long-term employment and develop professionally and personally. GSVC’s no-cost, entry-level professional skills training programs (supported by the Energize Careers program) are designed to help students overcome systemic challenges such as generational poverty, housing insecurity, and justice system involvement.
GWSV serves Santa Clara County including recent graduates, Tyler Harrison and Christopher Cajero. As classmates, Tyler and Christopher developed a friendship. After Christopher landed a job at Supreme Air Systems (an HVAC company), he referred Tyler, securing gainful employment for both. Now, they apply their skills daily, proving how mentorship and opportunity can rewrite futures.  Seattle, Washington. Image courtesy of Thom Milkovic. SEI’s Climate Corps program has been awarded two U.S. Department of Energy grants with the state of Washington and the City of Seattle. These awards will fund nearly 100 Climate Corps Fellows over 9 years to support the implementation of Washington’s first-in-nation Clean Buildings Performance Standard and the City of Seattle’s Building Emissions Performance Standard.
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