WHITE EARTH, MN:  A new energy jobs training program will be launched by the White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC) through a partnership with the Minnesota Department of Commerce, which was awarded a $1.8 million grant with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Auditor Training Program. 

The Minnesota Commerce Department partnered with WETCC to address the growing need in northwest Minnesota for more skilled professionals trained in energy efficiency work as energy auditors. Energy Auditor Training program participants will receive classroom training, credentials, job shadowing experience, and wraparound services.

Students will receive classroom courses aligned with Building Performance Institute certifications, which will broaden paths to clean energy careers that don’t require a 4-year college degree. Students will also benefit from hands-on job training with organizations across northwestern Minnesota, including utility companies, cities, and the White Earth Tribal Nation. The new program will start with residential energy auditor training, with the goal of expanding in the future. WETCC has selected Everblue as the Interstate Renewable Energy Council accredited training partner to deliver the grant’s programming. 

“This grant to initiate our Energy Auditor Training Program enables us to dive into critical work, training a new generation of energy auditors who will play essential roles in promoting energy efficiency and sustainability within our communities,” said White Earth Tribal and Community College President Anna Sheppard. “We’re looking forward to starting this meaningful work and are grateful for the support that makes this program possible.” 

Bridget Guiza, WETCC Customized Education Coordinator, said, “This opportunity took a regional team effort and grew from significant relationship building across multiple partners. Collectively, we are one step closer toward achieving Tribal energy sovereignty.” 

Commerce Commissioner Grace Arnold said, “These kinds of training programs are crucial for building a workforce that serves communities across the state to create good-paying jobs, to save money on energy costs, and to reduce energy use. The federal funds coming to Minnesota are helping us to build our clean energy economy.”  

The regional impact of the energy auditor training program would bring opportunities for more energy efficiency efforts on White Earth Reservation and other communities in northwestern Minnesota. The City of Crookston is among the ongoing and developing partners across the region for the training.  “We have a goal to improve energy efficiency for at least 600 homes in our city, and the first step to achieve that goal is to have energy audits,” said Karie Kirschbaum Crookston Community Development Director and Executive Director for Crookston Housing and Economic Development Authority. “Making homes more energy efficient helps save our residents money and reduces our energy costs.” 

Otter Tail Power Company, which serves Crookston and other areas in northwest Minnesota with electric power, is one of the businesses planning to offer hands-on training to students. “We’re excited about the new program at White Earth Tribal and Community College as an important opportunity to both help our customers save money by using less energy and to expand the energy workforce in our region,” said Otter Tail Power Retail Energy Solutions Manager Jason Grenier.

The Minnesota Department of Commerce was one of 16 state selectees for the DOE’s Energy Auditor Training Program. Funds for the DOE program came from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.  

About White Earth Tribal and Community College

White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC) is an institution of higher learning dedicated to academic excellence grounded in Anishinaabe culture, values, and traditions. WETCC is dedicated to providing quality education and training that meets the needs of the White Earth Nation and surrounding communities.