Training Program Director Energy and Climate Skills Training Program

Clean Energy Resource Teams; Metro; Remote; IDR 1,300,655,000 - 1,443,992,000; Full time

Job summary

Renewable Energy Partners, Inc. seeks a proactive Training Program Director to oversee daily operations, lead program development, and coordinate partnerships for energy and climate skills training in Minneapolis.

The role drives student success, program expansion, and funding strategy to sustain a state-of-the-art facility. You will manage complex projects, mentor staff, and build networks with sponsors and funders to advance workforce development in clean energy.

Qualifications

• Administrative and program management skills demonstrated in workforce development settings.
• Commitment to student success through support services, career navigation, job placement and retention.
• Ability to network, develop partnerships for a comprehensive ecosystem supporting training programs.
• Entrepreneurial and data-driven approach to new program development and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Program development and management.
• Planning and implementation of training initiatives.
• Networking and partnership coordination.

Skills

Program management

Partnership development

Fundraising / grant-writing

Data-driven decision making

Team leadership

Project planning

Job description

Training Program Director Energy and Climate Skills Training Program

Organization

Organization Summary

Introduction:

Renewable Energy Partners, Inc. (REP) seeks a creative, self-directed and motivated individual to lead the next phase of development in Energy and Climate Skills training programs at REP’s training facility in Minneapolis. REP is a fast-growing solar development firm that supports current training programs and needs effective leadership and partnerships to organize and manage the facility and coordinate training programs on a daily basis. This position includes supporting training program partners, leading efforts for new course development, and developing networks for funding, support services, and navigation and job placement.

Current Status:

REP has renovated its 22,000 square foot office and training center at 1200 Plymouth Avenue in North Minneapolis as a state-of-the-art facility for entry-level and continuing education skills training. The facility is on a major bus rapid transit route with five-minute connections to the regional light rail network, on-site parking and bicycle lanes. The building itself is a living laboratory for clean energy and sustainability technologies with rooftop solar integrated with a battery storage system, ground-source, electric heat pumps for heating and cooling, EV charging and on-site management of 100% of the site’s annual rainfall.

Training spaces include an HVAC lab, solar classroom and workshop with training tools, and a certified “tiny house” training tool for energy efficiency courses that will be completed this fall as the only certified test site in the metro area for Building Performance Institute certifications. Teaching tools on-site also include “solar carts” for teaching interconnection of solar arrays, and a HAM (heating, air, moisture) House for Building Science.

The facility has been offering skills training and career exploration programs for 3 years with a focus on recruitment of BIPOC students and young adults from under-served communities. Current programs include HVAC Tech sponsored by Avivo Institute, NABCEP Solar Associate sponsored by the City of Minneapolis, Electrical Pre-apprenticeship sponsored by the electricians’ union, and sustainable landscaping sponsored by Metro Blooms. Some capacity has been developed to support training programs with recruitment of trainees, pre-training skills assessments, support services to address barriers, program evaluation, and navigation and placement with employers.

Current program support has come from federal, state and local governments, and corporate and philanthropic foundations. Some core program support is committed through 2027, but funding needs to be increased and extended beyond next year. Training programs have had demonstrated success with high demand for current courses, and projections for job growth in new course areas such as Building Science, Energy Efficiency, Electrification and Green Infrastructure.

The successful candidate for this position will lead daily operations, support current training programs and student success, and develop new programs and partnerships to meet the long-term goals of the training center.

Posting Date

09/18/2026

Closing Date

12/31/2026

Location in MN

Central

Metro

Northeast

Northwest

Southeast

Southwest

West Central

Job type

full-time

Renewable Energy Partners offers a competitive salary range of $73,500-$81,600 plus benefits based on the applicant’s experience.

Hours

Full-Time

Primary Duties

Program development and management; planning and implementation; networking and partnership coordination

Experience

• Demonstrated administrative and program management skills, preferred in a workforce development position.
• Commitment to student success through support services, career navigation, job placement and retention.
• Ability to network, develop and nurture partnerships for a comprehensive ecosystem that supports training programs and related services.
• Ability to be self-directed and lead a team in developing work plans and objectives, and manage the process of establishing metrics and evaluating progress on project goals.
• Have an entrepreneurial and data-driven approach to new program and course development and partnerships for program delivery.
• Experience with fundraising, grant‑writing and building relationships with funders and sponsors.
• Experience with government and non‑profit training programs, apprenticeships, credentials and industry certifications.
• Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups of participants and support recruitment efforts that prioritize under‑served populations of youth and young adults.
• Strong internal and external communications skills to manage the training program in collaboration with others and represent the program with the community and funders.
• Show passion for the work of addressing climate change and demonstrate commitment to equity and environmental justice.