Green Trades Career Pathways

What they do:

Install, repair, and maintain electrical systems in homes, businesses, and renewable energy projects. From wiring buildings to installing EV chargers, electricians play a key role in building the grid of the future.

How to learn:

Apprenticeship (4–5 years, paid) or technical college program. State licensing required in Colorado through DORA.

Training time:

4–5 years (apprenticeship) and some people participant in an unpaid 3-6 month pre-apprenticeship.

Typical cost:

Apprenticeships low-cost/paid; pre-apprenticeship or trade school $500–$10,000.

Overview of typical job titles and responsibilities:

Entry Level Role: Electrical Apprentice

What they do: Support installation of circuits, panels, etc.

Mid-Level Role: Journeyman Electrician.

What they do: Licensed electricians install systems including EV chargers, heat pumps, and connect solar systems.

Senior Level Role: Master Electrician / Energy Systems Electrician

What they do: Oversees projects, signs off on electrical work. May specialize in clean tech systems like solar storage. Manage teams, plan layouts, ensures code compliance, coordinate with engineers, permit authorities, and clients, mentor junior staff.

What they do:

Install and service heating, cooling, and ventilation systems, including efficient heat pumps.

How to learn:

Apprenticeship or technical/community college program. Must hold EPA Section 608 certification.

Training time:

6 months–2 years (school) or 2–4 years (apprenticeship). Some people participate in an unpaid 1-week pre-apprenticeship to gain immediate employment.

Typical cost:

Certificate and pre-apprentice programs $1,500–$6,000; associate degrees $5,000–$12,000; apprenticeships may be free/paid.

Overview of typical job titles and responsibilities:

Entry Level Role: HVAC Installer/Helper

What they do: Assists with basic installs, maintenance, ductwork.

Mid-Level Role: HVAC Technician (Heat Pumps specialty)

What they do: Installs and maintains energy-efficient systems.

Senior Level Role: Building Electrification Specialist or HVAC Supervisor/Project Manager

What they do: Advanced retrofitting and system design. Manages projects and teams, ensures code compliance, coordinate with engineers, permit authorities, and clients, mentor junior staff.

What they do:

Learn how to install and service energy-efficient heating and cooling systems that reduce carbon emissions and energy bills.

How to learn:

Plumbing apprenticeship (4–5 years) or trade school. State licensing required in Colorado by the State Plumbing Board.

Training time:

2 year (3400 hours) for residential plumber, 4 years (8,500 hours) for master plumber.

Typical cost of training:

Overview of typical job titles and responsibilities:

Entry Level Role: Plumbing Apprentice / Junior Plumber

Mid Level Role: Journeyman Plumber / Plumber II

Senior Level Role: Master Plumber / Lead Plumber / Plumbing Supervisor / Project Lead

What they do:

Install and maintain electric vehicle charging stations for homes, businesses, and public sites. Support the growing demand for electric vehicles by installing and maintaining charging stations across the region. Programs like Goodwill’s Clean Tech Accelerator can help get you started. Clean Tech Accelerator | Goodwill of Colorado.

How to learn:

Typically an electrician who adds EV-specific training. There is EV Service Engineer training as a pre-apprenticeship.

Training time:

EVSE: 6-8 weeks; Electrician with EV specialty 4–5 years as an electrician + 20–40 hours EV training.

Typical cost:

EVITP training $300–$1,000; electrician apprenticeship low-cost/paid.

Overview of typical job titles and responsibilities:

Many EV Technicians are also Electrician Apprentices, Journeymen, or Master Electricians

Entry Level Role: EV Charger Installer / EV Technician I / EV Charging Assistant

What they do: Assist in installing EV charging stations (Level 1, Level 2) under supervision

Mid Level Role: EV Charging Technician / Journeyman EV Installer / Field Service EV Technician

What they do: Lead installations of more complex stations (including commercial / public and possibly Level 3 / DC fast charger involvement

Senior Level Role: EV Charging Specialist Lead / EV Infrastructure Project Manager / EV Charging Field Service Lead / Master EV Technician

What they do: Design and plan EV charging infrastructure projects (site evaluation, load calculations, power requirements). Oversee large commercial or public charging installations including DC fast charging

What they do:

Assess homes/buildings to find energy waste and recommend upgrades. Work with homeowners to identify energy loss and improve building performance—often at no cost to the resident. Some people become building inspectors or have a building inspector background.

How to learn:

Training programs at colleges or online; Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification common.

Training time:

2–6 months.

Overview of typical job titles and responsibilities:

Entry Level Role: Weatherization Technician

What they do: Installs insulation, air sealing, low-cost upgrades.

Mid-Level Role: Weatherization Specialist / Crew Lead

What they do: Conducts home/building energy assessments.

Senior Level Role: Energy Auditor / Program Manager

What they do: Implements larger projects, code compliance. Manage teams, plan layouts, ensures code compliance, coordinate with engineers, permit authorities, and clients, mentor junior staff.

What they do:

Install rooftop solar panels and connect them to electrical systems.

How to learn:

On-the-job training or community college programs; North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners® (NABCEP) certification valuable.

Overview of typical job titles and responsibilities:

Most solar installers have similar job titles and responsibilities to electricians.

Entry Level Roles: Solar Installer / Solar Technician I / PV Installer Trainee

What they do: Assist with installing solar panels on residential or commercial rooftops, basic wiring and mounting.

Mid Level Roles: Journeyman Solar Installer / PV Technician

What they do” Independently install and maintain solar panel systems, handle electrical connections and inverter setup, troubleshoot minor issues, ensure compliance with local codes and safety standards.

Senior Level Roles: Lead Solar Installer / Solar Project Supervisor / Solar Field Service Technician

What they do: Oversee large residential or commercial solar projects, manage installation teams, plan layouts and system design, coordinate with engineers, permit authorities, and clients, mentor junior staff.

What they do:

Install, maintain, and repair wind turbines.

How to learn:

Most complete a 2-year associate’s degree in wind energy technology plus safety certifications.

Training time:

2 years.

Overview of typical job titles and responsibilities:

Entry Level Role: Wind Turbine Technician I / Technician Trainee

What they do: Performs basic inspections, assists in maintenance, climbs turbines under supervision, handles routine tasks (lubrication, basic mechanical/electrical work).

Mid Level Role: Wind Turbine Technician / Journeyman Wind Tech

What they do: Independently conducts preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, repairs on mechanical, electrical, and control systems; leads minor projects, handles component replacement, ensures safety compliance.

Senior Level Role: Lead Wind Turbine Technician / Wind Maintenance Supervisor / Wind Technician Specialist

What they do: Oversees maintenance teams, plans maintenance strategy, handles complex diagnostics and overhauls, coordinates with engineering and operations, optimizes performance, mentors staff.

Get the basics, build confidence, and prepare to enter an apprenticeship or job. These programs often include jobsite skills, tool training, safety certifications (like OSHA 10), and career support.

The Master’s Apprentice – Denver Metro

IECRM – Adams

IBEW68 – Denver Metro

EEBC: 5 Day HVAC Heat Pump Apprenticeship

Earn while you learn. Apprenticeships combine paid, on-the-job training with classroom instruction—and lead to industry-recognized credentials and full-time careers.

IBEW Local 68 – Electrical Apprenticeship

IECRM – Independent Electrical Contractors of the Rocky Mountains

Plumbers Local 3 – Plumbing & Pipefitting

UA Local 208 – HVAC/Refrigeration

Laborers Local 720 – Green Construction

Take short-term or two-year courses in green building, energy auditing, EV tech, or solar. Many programs are stackable, and financial aid may be available.

Red Rocks Community College

Front Range Community College

Community College of Denver