Urban Energy Jobs Program
Connecting underserved communities to clean energy jobs
The National Urban League has been at the forefront of the movement to build a more equitable society for over a century. Without full participation in the American economy, there cannot be full participation in American democracy. Careers in energy create opportunities for financial stability, family-supporting wages, homeownership, and economic empowerment for African Americans who are disproportionately excluded from a shrinking middle class.
Our Impact
The National Urban League created the Urban Energy Jobs Program (UEJP) in July 2022 to address the talent gap in the energy industry and expand the adoption of registered apprenticeships as a career pathway. Established with funding from the Apprenticeship Building America (ABA) grant, the Urban Energy Jobs Program was launched in partnership with five Urban League Affiliates: the Chicago Urban League, Houston Area Urban League, Louisville Urban League, Urban League of Louisiana, and Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis. Since the conclusion of the ABA grant, the Urban Energy Jobs Program has expanded to seven affiliates, adding the Urban League of Central Carolinas and Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, under funding from the Families & Workers Fund.
2025 Empowerment Goal:
Every American has access to jobs with a living wage and good benefits
Enrolled Pre-Apprentices
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Earned Credentials
Our Approach
The Urban Energy Jobs Program (UEJP) creates equitable pathways to careers in the energy industry for individuals from historically underrepresented communities. By combining the National Urban League’s national framework with local community expertise, the program connects local talent to high-demand career opportunities. In partnership with the Center for Energy Workforce Development (CEWD), NUL helps build the skilled workforce and talent pipeline needed to meet growing demand in the energy industry through a collaborative ecosystem of Urban League affiliates, employers, labor unions, training providers, and apprenticeship sponsors. Grounded in the belief that economic opportunity strengthens communities, the Urban Energy Jobs Program expands access to quality training and career pathways that lead to family-sustaining wages and long-term economic mobility.
Enrolled Apprentices
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How You Can Support
Job Seekers
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The Urban Energy Jobs Program provides a comprehensive pathway to employment opportunities in the energy industry. Participants receive individualized support through the program, including case management, career readiness training, hands-on technical instruction aligned with employer needs, supportive services, and placement assistance into registered apprenticeship programs and energy-sector careers. Targeted occupations include electrical power line installers and repairers, solar PV installers, general technicians (solar, wind, nuclear, power, etc.), cybersecurity analysts, EV automotive service technicians, meter readers, electricians, plumbers, pipefitters, carpenters, and more.
Program services include:
- Recruitment and outreach to underserved communities
- Eligibility screening, intake, and individualized needs and skills assessments
- Career exploration and workforce readiness training
- Professional and soft skills development
- Energy Industry Fundamentals 2.0 training and industry exposure
- Hands-on technical training aligned with employer needs
- Industry-recognized credentials
- Individualized case management and career coaching
- Supportive services designed to remove barriers to participation, including transportation, childcare, housing, and tools and equipment
- Placement into registered apprenticeship programs and careers in the energy sector
- Retention support and follow-up services after placement
- Chicago Urban League
- Houston Area Urban League
- Louisville Urban League
- Urban League of Central Carolinas
- Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts
- Urban League of Louisiana
- Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis
