SEATTLE — A new program is putting young adults in Washington in hands-on paid training programs that lead to full-time jobs in the clean energy field.

Eighteen to 24-year-olds are among the newest members of the workforce including electricians, solar and wind technicians, and more.

The program pays the first 240 hours of wages for JumpStart workers at local businesses and companies.

Thanks to federal funding, JumpStart will become a four-county region program including King, Pierce, Kitsap, and Snohomish counties. It’s expected to run through at least 2030.

King County JumpStart says it keeps money and program graduates local while aiming to keep up with the nationwide demand for trained workers in these fields.

For 21-year-old Matthew Rodriguez of Lakewood, he’s heading toward his career goals faster than he imagined.

“I’ve probably learned more than these last eight months that I have within the last, like, four years,” Rodriguez said.

Within a month of entering the JumpStart program and working for Puget Sound Solar in Seattle – Rodriguez was hired full-time.

Puget Sound Solar is one of many participating contractors working with the county.

“Someone can start here. 4,000 hours to become a residential electrician,” said Will Sumner, general manager at Puget Sound Solar. “They can get that in about two and a half years, they can test out and then all of a sudden they’re making close to six figures, or over six figures.”

Not only is the program designed to keep skilled workers in Washington state – King County said it is also making the workforce more diverse.

In the program’s first official six months, 86% of the 18- to 24-year-old graduates identify as Black or Latino.

“Not everyone is looking to go to a four-year college and so this really provides you know money in your pocket on the job experience and really like launching your career path,” said Dani Hurula, JumpStart project manager, King County Executive Climate Office.

Hurula said 83% of participants have successfully completed the full program and more than 50% have secured a job with the employer they trained with.

King County said getting more people into this field could have a nationwide impact.

A recent study shows within five years – the United States will not have enough clean energy professionals with an estimated need of more than 40,000 electricians, 9,000 welders and 7,000 wind technicians.

To learn more about the program as a student signing up for an apprenticeship placement or a contract to take on student workers – click here.

The first King County JumpStart cohort launched in the summer of 2024 funded in part by an award from the Washington Jobs Initiative.

JumpStart works with several partner programs including the following:

• Seattle Central College’s PACT 
• Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle’s Career Bridge 
• Emerald Cities Collaborative Northwest’s HVAC Prep Academy 
• YouthCare’s Seattle YouthBuild