The University of Massachusetts Amherst Clean Energy Extension (CEE) has been awarded $141,427 from the Mass Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) to expand workforce development opportunities in the offshore wind and renewable energy sectors.
The funding will support CEE's Career Access Scholarship program, which helps individuals from underrepresented backgrounds prepare for careers in clean energy. The project will recruit and train two new cohorts of participants, enhance curriculum offerings, including preparation for emerging workplace AI tools, and strengthen partnerships with organizations across Massachusetts and Nova Scotia.
The initiative advances workforce development in key port communities by leveraging the MassCEC Offshore Wind Works Community of Practice while helping build a skilled talent pipeline to support the long-term growth of the offshore wind and broader renewable energy industries. This grant will also support connections between UMass Amherst and Nova Scotia’s burgeoning offshore wind sector, in support of Governor Healey and Premier Houston’s 2026 Memorandum of Understanding on Offshore Wind Energy and Infrastructure Collaboration.
“The Clean Energy Extension is very pleased to receive this award and to continue to participate in the MassCEC Offshore Wind Works Community of Practice which is an amazing forum for collaboration and knowledge sharing in support of the offshore wind sector in Massachusetts. We are enthused to have the opportunity to continue to partner with MassCEC to accelerate offshore wind workforce development in the Commonwealth and to support the partnership Massachusetts has forged with Nova Scotia.”
— Kira Lawrence, Director, UMass Clean Energy Extension