Trane Technologies has announced a $1 million, three-year grant to Goodwill Industries International to expand the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator, a workforce development program preparing job seekers for careers in skilled trades and clean energy. The funding will support five local Goodwill organizations and provide nearly 500 participants with industry-recognized credentials and hands-on technical training.
The Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator is a four- to five-week program combining classroom instruction, at least 50% hands-on laboratory training, employability coaching and connections to local employers. Participants also receive weekly stipends, personalized career guidance and additional support services to address employment barriers.
During the first year, the investment will expand HVAC and heat pump training capacity and support national instructor certifications in Columbia and Greenville, South Carolina. In St. Paul, Minnesota, Goodwill-Easter Seals Minnesota will add HVAC and heat pump instruction to its existing solar training program and complete a dedicated practical training laboratory. The partnership will expand into three additional markets during the following two years.
Launched in 2024, the Goodwill Clean Tech Accelerator has reached nearly 1,000 graduates, achieved a 92% graduation rate and helped hundreds of participants secure employment. Trane Technologies said the investment aligns with its 2030 Sustainability Commitments and efforts to expand access to green and STEM education.
“The future of energy requires both breakthrough climate technologies and a highly skilled workforce ready to deploy and maintain them in communities around the world,” said Carrie Ruddy, Senior Vice President and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer at Trane Technologies.
