Empowering San Diego’s Decarbonization Workforce with the SDREN Workforce Training and Capacity Building Program

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 deliver Workforce Training and Capacity Building, a new program from the San Diego Regional Energy Network (SDREN). ​This comprehensive, system-wide initiative will serve 2,200 individuals entering or upskilling in energy efficiency, electrification and decarbonization industries.
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“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.”

About the Program
The Workforce Training and Capacity Building Program uses a holistic workforce system approach, considering a job seeker's full experience, from their search for training to job placement and retention. This strategy aims to strengthen the entire regional ecosystem that connects job seekers to long-term careers in clean energy.

Rather than creating new training programs, the Workforce Training and Capacity Building Program will leverage the region’s many strengths to fill any gaps and bolster the workforce system to best serve job seekers, the current workforce and critical industry partners.  SEI will focus on identifying and bolstering the region’s existing assets. Project partners will provide technical assistance, resources, and institutional support to high-quality training programs already serving the San Diego region. This ensures that training is industry-informed, connected to wraparound services, meets local needs and leads directly to successful career placement.

A Partnership Built for Impact
The commitment to environmental equity is central to the program’s mission, and this project’s success is rooted in the complementary strengths of its lead partners:

SEI brings decades of experience in workforce program implementation, project management, and established networks across government agencies, power companies, and educational institutions, positioning us as the capable implementation lead. “More and more regions are looking to accelerate clean energy programs at the speed and scale that our changing climate demands,” says SEI Senior Director of Strategy & Impact Jake Pollack. “SEI wants to help our partners address real-world challenges through generative and creative community-based partnerships.” 

RI provides a crucial understanding of the clean energy transition, coupled with a history of delivering extensive training and technical assistance, notably through programs like the SDG&E LEARN Program, which will be vital for connecting with industry and employers. 

MAAC’s deep reach within the San Diego community — and strong commitment to addressing system barriers to employment — ensures a strong link to job seekers from underserved and hard-to-reach populations and essential wraparound services to bolster participant success.