Technical Trades Work and Learning Program for Students

Carpenter and trainees

Jumpstart your career in clean energy!

The Technical Trades Work and Learning Program is a unique opportunity that connects students from vocational high schools, After Dark programs, and Career Technical Initiative (CTI) programs with paid, hands-on work experience in the clean energy sector throughout the academic year and into the summer. 

Why should you be a Technical Trades participant?

  • Gain practical experience in the fast-growing clean energy sector as you kickstart your career.
  • Earn while you learn with paid work experience throughout the academic year and into the summer.
  • Network with industry professionals and build connections that can boost your future opportunities.
  • Enhance your employability and stand out in the clean energy job market.


Employers, would your company like to receive support for hiring a vocational intern?

Program Schedule

The Technical Trades Program spans the entire school year and continues through the following summer. Participants can begin their work experience after the session start date if this arrangement is agreed upon with their Co-Op Coordinator (for high school participants) and the Clean Energy Employer. Non-high school participants will agree upon a work schedule with their Clean Energy Employer.

2024 - 2025 Session

Process Step

Timing

Open enrollment and intern selection begin

Oct 28, 2024

Session starts

Oct 28, 2024

Session ends

Aug 21, 2025

Who's Eligible

To participate, you must be one of the following:

  • A rising senior currently enrolled in a vocational or technical high school located in Massachusetts and approved by your school's administration to participate in a co-op program
  • A high school After Dark student
  • A participant in a Career Technical Initiative (CTI) program
  • A graduate from any of the above programs who graduated within the last year
  • A member of a group of individuals approved for participation by MassCEC

Certain individuals are not eligible to participate in the Program:

  • Students who are not in good standing with their school
  • Any full-time employee or current intern who has been on payroll for more than 12 weeks at a Host Employer
  • Family members of employers or owners of the Host Employer

For more information, please refer to the Program Summary.

How to Participate

number one in orange circle

Register for an account

  • For Students Under 18: Your Co-op Coordinator must submit an online application on your behalf. Once the application is submitted, employers will be able to view your profile in the student database and contact your Co-op Coordinator. You must have a profile in this database for employers to confirm your eligibility with MassCEC for the Program. Make sure to ask your Co-op Coordinator to create an account.
     
  • For Students Over 18: Submit an online application directly. Once the application is submitted, employers will be able to view your profile in the student database and contact you. You must have a profile in this database for employers to confirm your eligibility with MassCEC for the Program. 
number 2 in orange circle

Communicate with clean energy employers

  • Be proactive in your job search! Reach out to clean energy employers with whom you are interested in working. Check our Internship Program Employer Map to view previously participating employers.
  • Respond to any employers who contact you.
  • If an employer is interested in hiring you, they will send your name to MassCEC for an eligibility check.
  • If you are eligible, the employer may contact you or your Co-op Coordinator to set up an interview.
  • MassCEC will reach out to you or your Co-op Coordinator for additional information. Respond promptly to any communication to confirm your eligibility.
Number 3 in orange circle

Get signatures on an offer letter

  • If an employer wishes to hire you for the session and MassCEC confirms your eligibility, the employer will send you an offer letter. You, your Co-op Coordinator (if applicable), and your legal guardian (if applicable) must sign the letter.
  • Ensure that the offer letter includes your name, expected work dates, and hourly wage.
  •  MassCEC will officially reserve your funding for the session only after receiving the signed offer letter.
Number 4 in orange circle

Enjoy your Internship!

  • Take full advantage of this opportunity by acquiring valuable skills and by networking within the industry.
number 5 in orange circle

Fill out the student survey

  • Before the session concludes, MassCEC will send you a link to an anonymous student survey. Completing this survey is important as it helps us improve the program and ensures it remains beneficial for future participants.

Internship Program Employer Map

This map shows the employers (orange dots) who have participated in the Vocational Internship Program in the past. Zoom in and click on the dots for more information.

FAQs

How do I increase my chances of being selected for an internship?

While it is ultimately up to the employer to decide on who they would like to work with them in a given session, employer feedback has indicated that proactive and detail-oriented students overwhelmingly end up being the ones to receive internships through this program. It is suggested that you:

  • Ensure the information you submit in your application is accurate and up to date. 
  • Respond quickly to any communication received from interested employers, your co-op coordinator, or MassCEC staff.
  • Learn more about the program and use the resources available to you on https://www.masscec.com/technical-trades-students
  • Reach out to clean energy employers in your area to let them know about the internship program and also express your interest in interning for them over a session.
Will prospective interns know which employers are reviewing their applications? 

The Technical Trades Work and Learning program is set up so employers can review the database and hand-select the students whom they would like to interview. MassCEC is not involved with selecting interns for employers. This means that you will receive communication about your application only from an employer when an employer selects you for an interview. You will only receive communication from MassCEC in the event that further documentation is required to confirm your eligibility for participation in this program.

How many interns will be selected?

The final number of interns will be determined by successful matches between the Host Employers and applicants. Stipend subsidies for employers from MassCEC are available on a first-come, first-served basis until MassCEC has committed the funds allocated to the program. After total allocation of funds, employers may still access the database of candidates and offer paid or unpaid internships, at the employer’s discretion.

What paperwork is required for a student to participate?

Students must provide all necessary documentation and meet all requirements as set out by their school in order to participate in this program via the school’s co-op program. Employers may require further documentation.

What is the intern stipend and how will interns be paid?

Interns will be hired and paid directly by the Host Employer. The pay rate should be established prior to accepting the internship offer. Employers are expected to pay their interns on a schedule that was previously explained and agreed to by the intern.  Please be aware that Host Employers may pay an intern more than the subsidy rate, however, MassCEC will only reimburse up to the full award amount.  Employers are not allowed to pay an intern less than $15 per hour. Please be sure you are aware of and agree to the terms of the internship before starting any work.

Still have questions?  Contact internships@masscec.com

Additional Career Resources for Students

Internship logo

Clean Energy Internship Program

This is MassCEC's flagship internship program for college and graduate students.

CleanEnergyEducation.org

Discover a wealth of clean energy education and training programs throughout Massachusetts.

Corkboard with notices

Jobs Board

Looking for a full- or part-time job in the clean energy sector? Clean energy employers from across the state regularly post non-internship positions with us and are looking for candidates just like you to fill these crucial roles.

Stack of resumes

Resume Board

Submit your details into our resume database today and have clean energy employers reach out to you for their open positions.