The Training for Residential Energy Contractors (TREC) Program makes $200 million available to state energy offices so they can train, test, and certify residential energy efficiency and electrification contractors. States can partner with nonprofit organizations to develop and implement these programs. Also known as the State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants, TREC will deploy innovative, effective, and equitable workforce development programs to train workers to make homes healthier and more energy efficient. DOE will issue TREC funding through Formula and Competitive grants.
FORMULA GRANTS
In July 2023, DOE announced $150 million in formula TREC awards to states through an Administrative and Legal Requirements Document.
States can put contractors to work who are trained through this program by connecting them with projects funded by the Department of Energy's Home Energy Rebates Programs, which provide rebates to eligible residents for home energy retrofits, energy-saving appliance upgrades, and electrification projects.
Download the Formula Training for Residential Energy Contractors fact sheet.
Overview
Office:State and Community Energy Programs |
New Program:Yes |
Funding Amount:$200,000,000 total, including $150,000,000 to be distributed to states through a formula and up to $40,000,000 to be distributed to states through a competitive process. |
Funding Mechanism:Grants |
Recipients:State Energy Offices |
Period of Availability:9/30/31 |
Authorization Statute:Inflation Reduction Act Section 50123 |
Tribal Eligibility:No |
Cost Share Requirement:No |
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Resources
- Workforce Training Curricula and Steps to Recognition
- Instructions for Uploading and Downloading Attachments in PAGE
- TREC Submission Narrative Document Template – Updated February 2024 to correct the Project Narrative Performance Metrics table
- Webinar 1: State Workforce Development Plans
- Webinar 2: Metrics, Reporting, and Evaluation
More Information
This funding can be used on programs that:
- Reduce the cost of training contractor employees;
- Provide access to workforce development tools for contractors including, but not limited to, testing and certification; and
- Partner with community organizations to develop and implement an equitable state program Next Milestones.
State-Based Home Energy Efficiency Contractor Training Grants: Questions and Answers.
Send any questions to eeworkforceprograms@hq.doe.gov and DOE will post answers on this page.
- Initial Application Deadline: January 31, 2024
- Awards: November 1, 2023 – April 30, 2024
- First Funding Installment (50% of total award): Executed Assistance Agreement
- Second Funding Installment (50% of total award): State submits:
- Results from the program evaluation (as described in ALRD Section 6.4.e)
- Plans for incorporating the evaluation results into improving the current State program.
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