MassCEC Launches First-of-its-Kind Clean Energy Career Awareness Curriculum

New curriculum introduces students to clean energy and climatetech careers to build well-trained and diverse workforce 

BOSTON – The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) today launched a new innovative curriculum designed to introduce high school students and participants in workforce development programs to careers in the clean energy and climate technology sectors. The Massachusetts Climate Careers: Powering the Future curriculum is part of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s (DESE) Clean Energy Innovation Career Pathway Program. This curriculum is the first of its kind in the state and aims to reach schools and career navigation initiatives throughout Massachusetts. 

MassCEC’s recent Workforce Needs Assessment found that many students and job seekers are unaware of careers in the clean energy field. This lack of awareness is a barrier to entering the workforce. The new Clean Energy Career Awareness curriculum provides engaging, real-world experiences that expose students and participants to a wide range of career opportunities in the sector. 

“There are thousands of good-paying, family sustaining job opportunities in the climate sector, and employers need skilled talent to fill them,” said Governor Maura Healey. “By introducing students and job seekers to the exciting opportunities in clean energy and climatetech, this curriculum will inspire the next generation to take part in building a stronger, more resilient Massachusetts.” 

“We need a strong workforce to support a clean energy future in our communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “This curriculum helps young people across Massachusetts learn about job opportunities and provides them with the skills and confidence to pursue them.” 

The curriculum provides an engaging introduction to more than 50 clean energy and climatetech career pathways, such as engineers, energy auditors, architects, millwrights, piledrivers, and project managers. Each lesson brings students into real-world Massachusetts projects and companies through interactive content, industry-aligned activities, and firsthand career stories from diverse professionals in the field. 

“This Earth Month, we are working to expand access to clean energy careers. These are great jobs – solar technicians, HVAC experts, and electricians are paid well and do meaningful work,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rebecca Tepper. “This curriculum is thoughtfully designed to inspire the next generation. It provides them with the knowledge and experiences essential for seeing themselves in this growing industry.” 

“Massachusetts needs 34,000 more clean energy workers by the end of the decade to keep our clean energy transition on track,” said MassCEC CEO Dr. Emily Reichert. “By introducing students and job seekers to the diverse career opportunities in clean energy and climatetech, this curriculum helps build the workforce we need to make homes and buildings more energy-efficient, electrify transportation, and modernize the electric grid.” 

“Education is a key driver of economic opportunity, and this curriculum ensures that students across Massachusetts—regardless of background—can see a future for themselves in the high-growth clean energy industry,” said Massachusetts Secretary of Education Dr. Patrick Tutwiler. “By integrating career awareness into high school classrooms and workforce development programs, we are expanding pathways to success in one of the most critical sectors of our time.” 

The Massachusetts Climate Careers: Powering the Future curriculum is designed to be accessible and adaptable to different learning environments. It includes ready-to-use lesson plans, interactive career exploration activities, and multimedia resources that connect students and job seekers with real-world clean energy professionals. With a focus on hands-on learning and self-reflection, the curriculum positions participants to envision themselves in the field while equipping them with the foundational knowledge needed to take the next step in their careers.  

The curriculum was developed to support high schools and young adult workforce development programs, including those participating in the state’s Clean Energy Innovation Pathway initiative—currently being piloted by Carver Middle High School, Hopkins Academy, Norwood High School, CityLab Innovation School, and Reading Memorial High School. Teachers from several of these school have already begun testing the materials, and the curriculum will be available for statewide adoption in the 2025-2026 school year.  

The new curriculum is the latest addition to MassCEC’s growing workforce development portfolio, including its Clean Energy Internship Program, Workforce Equity Programs, Climate Service Corps, Climate-Critical Workforce Grants, Heat Pump and HVAC Training Network, and Offshore Wind Works Program. 

Educators and administrators interested in participating can find more information at https://cleanenergyeducation.org/curriculum/. 

Statements of Support 

“I look forward to seeing this curriculum introduced into high schools which will provide students with the opportunity to learn more about climate change and its solutions as well as an introduction to the clean energy sector and possible career paths for them to consider down the line,” said State Senator Jason Lewis (D-Winchester), Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. 

"This new Clean Energy Career Awareness Curriculum from MassCEC will not only provide a great opportunity for our students to gain real-world work experience, but it will also boost our clean energy and climate technology sector”, said State Representative Ken Gordon (D-Bedford), House Chair of the Joint Committee on Education. 

“Introducing a first-of-its-kind career awareness curriculum is critical to preparing the next generation for the challenges of climate change. By exposing students early to the impacts of climate change, emerging solutions, and the wide spectrum of local clean energy careers, we’re not only building awareness—we’re creating pathways,” said Elizabeth Simmons, Vice President of External Affairs at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. “This curriculum aligns with the mission of Massachusetts Maritime Academy to produce career-ready graduates who are leading the transition to a more sustainable, resilient future.” 

"Students want to know what they’re learning makes sense and connects to real-world opportunities,” said Kevin McCaskill, Principal of Brockton High School. “This curriculum gives them that connection—especially in fast-growing industries such as clean energy." 

“We need more tools like this to build awareness of emerging industries and guide students toward high-demand careers,” said Kristin Cole, Vice President of Workforce Development at Greenfield Community College. “This curriculum helps young people see the full range of opportunities available in the clean energy sector—many of which they may not have heard of before." 

About the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center 

The Massachusetts Clean Energy Center is a state economic development agency dedicated to accelerating the growth of the clean energy and climatetech sector across the Commonwealth to spur job creation, deliver statewide environmental benefits, and secure long-term economic opportunities for the people of Massachusetts. Since 2010, MassCEC has awarded nearly $800 million in programs and investments and attracted more than $2.8 billion in private and public funds.  

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