Investing in Climate Careers and Startups
October | 2024
Fall is here! After an exciting summer of progress, we're ready to close out the year strong. Read on to learn more about our major investment in workforce development, the latest climatetech manufacturer to open its doors in MA, and a big win for our climate goals. Don't forget to check out our open RFPs and career opportunities!
Building an Equitable Clean Energy and Climatetech Workforce
The MassCEC team recently traveled to Brockton High School to announce over $16 million in clean energy and climatetech workforce development grants!
Prior to the announcement, EEA Undersecretary Katherine Antos and MassCEC CEO Emily Reichert met with students and staff to learn more about how they will utilize MassCEC funding to renovate classroom space and obtain automotive training equipment needed to provide students with EV technician training.
In total, the awards will help more than 200 Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBEs) in climate-critical sectors by supporting business creation and expansion. Over 1,850 participants will benefit from training programs that focus on increasing access to Environmental Justice (EJ) communities. The programs will raise awareness of clean energy careers for over 600 learners and provide improved training and access to modern equipment for over 1,700 students and job seekers.
MassCEC Innovator of the Month: Allium Engineering
Talk about a homecoming! Earlier this month, Allium Engineering Co-Founder and CEO Steven Jepeal cut the ribbon on the company’s new advanced manufacturing facility in his hometown of Billerica.
Allium now has space to manufacture its coated rebar technology, extending the life of infrastructure like bridges, buildings, and roads. We’ve been incredibly proud to support this innovative company with funding through our Emerging Climatetech grant programs, 2030 Investment Fund, and internship program.
We’re thrilled for Steven, Co-Founder and CTO Sam McAlpine, and the entire team at Allium as they embark on this new journey of growth. Congratulations!
Story of the Month: BBJ Talks Workforce with Jennifer Applebaum
Boston Business Journal caught up with MassCEC Managing Director of Workforce Development Jennifer Applebaum to talk about the clean energy jobs that are most in demand and how we’re empowering partners to build an equitable workforce in every region of the Commonwealth. Read more!
MassCEC by the Numbers: 300+ Stakeholders
Over 300. That’s how many people attended MassCEC and ACT’s “Transitioning to the Future Grid in Massachusetts” event series over three sessions starting in March 2024. Our Net Zero Grid team brought together this diverse group of stakeholders from across the grid landscape, including top leadership, to collectively produce recommendations on how to approach the challenges that the transition to the future grid presents.
At MassCEC, we believe that the achievement of grid innovation is dependent on how well we work together as grid stakeholders. We hope to grow our impact in this space by collaborating with government and industry partners. Thanks to all who participated!
Spreading the Word about Economic Opportunity
CEO Emily Reichert spread the word about MassCEC's work and vision at several events throughout the month of September. She spoke with local stakeholders during the Cape Cod Commission's OneCape Summit about how Southeastern MA and Cape Cod have the potential to lead the nation’s blue economy, building on a vibrant research environment with innovative and sustainable ocean-based solutions to challenges like climate change.
During Massachusetts Climate Week, Emily participated in a Globe Summit conversation about investing in climate innovation alongside Steven Fox from Propeller, David S. Miller from Clean Energy Ventures, and The Boston Globe's Ideas Editor Brian Bergstein.
Later in the week, Emily joined Massachusetts Climate Chief Melissa Hoffer, Dr. Marvin Loiseau from Franklin Cummings Tech, and Carrie Cullen Hitt from Vineyard Offshore for Boston Business Journal's Boston Works event focused on the climate, energy, and resilience workforce.
Fostering International Climatetech Connections
Earlier this month, MassCEC was part of the Japanese Consulate General of Boston’s Cleantech Connect event. MassCEC’s Bruce Carlisle, Lisa Berry Engler, Leslie Nash, Sarah Cullinan, and Meg Howard spoke at the event.
Our team highlighted the importance of accelerating the adoption of climate solutions, investing in communities and infrastructure that support Massachusetts’ offshore wind industry, and strengthening connections between private and public entities that will allow us to modernize the electric grid.
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$20M Win for Massachusetts Building Performance
The month of September began with some exciting news. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced that Massachusetts is set to receive $20 million to support evolving building performance standards to make residential and workspaces across the state more resilient and energy efficient thanks to a proposal by the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER), MassCEC, and our partners at the City of Boston and City of Cambridge.
These funds will empower building trades programs in Justice 40 communities and lead to the creation of a Building Performance Exchange hub. Stay tuned for updates!
Support Climatetech Startups by becoming a MassCEC Grant Application Reviewer!
We want to expand our volunteer grant application reviewer base. We are looking for reviewers with a diverse range of experiences and areas of expertise to take part in our evaluation process in the future.
The Tech-to-Market team at MassCEC runs the AmplifyMass, InnovateMass and Catalyst/DICES programs, which are all competitive, pre-commercial innovation grant programs for climatetech startups and academic researchers.
We're happy to share some recent MassCEC press coverage:
Explore other stories on our website!
Requests for Proposals
Are you looking for ways to use your professional expertise in the clean energy and climatetech sector? See our featured RFPs below:
Applications Due November 1, 2024
MassCEC is seeking the services of an experienced and qualified Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) consultant with proven expertise to assist MassCEC in developing and implementing comprehensive DEI strategies.
We're Hiring! Join the MassCEC Team!
MassCEC provides a mission-oriented, collaborative, and supportive environment. Our exciting, fast-paced culture is fueled by creative ideas and innovative thinking. We are proud of our unparalleled commitment to our employees and prioritize professional development opportunities for our team. Current open positions include:
Please visit our Careers page for more listings.
Looking for clean energy jobs at other organizations?
Clean energy employers from across the state regularly post non-internship positions on our Jobs Board and are looking for candidates just like you to fill these crucial roles.
Thank you for reading! Connect with us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and X to stay up to speed about the latest updates.
Wondering how you can help? Forward this newsletter to a friend, family member, or neighbor. Learn more about Governor Healey’s climatetech initiative. And explore ways you can join the clean energy transformation at CleanEnergyLivesHere.com or MassCEC.com.