Tribal Energy Alternatives Workforce Program is Building the Next Generation of Indigenous Clean-Energy Leaders
In a year marked by new challenges in the renewable energy industry across Indian Country, the Tribal Energy Alternatives (TEA) Education and Workforce Development Program continued to expand their impact in 2025. The Workforce Development team implemented initiatives geared toward empowering Native communities with the skills, tools, and opportunities needed to lead in the energy transition and support energy sovereignty.
TEA’s Education and Workforce Development team implemented programming through on-the job construction training, Installation Basics Training (IBT) Cohorts, professional development and learning opportunities, as well as specialized programming for Tribal College and University students and faculty.
A Year of Partnership and Collaboration
Over the past year, TEA launched 17 education and workforce training initiatives, each designed in partnership with Tribal governments, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Native educators, and industry experts. These programs spanned solar installation, energy efficiency, environmental monitoring, project management, emerging technologies, and renewable energy policy, ensuring that Tribal citizens could access training relevant to both community needs and future energy markets.
Program Highlights Include:
- Blackfeet Community College hosting TEA’s first IBT Mobile Lab training.
- TEA held Midwestern Tribal College/University Energy Education convening at the College of Menominee Nation with over 5 midwestern TCU’s in attendance.
- Tribal Energy Associates cohort presented research posters at the TEA Sustainability Summit in held August at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Community.
- Collaborating with the Northwest Native Chambers and Clackamas Community College to provide two IBT cohorts for Portland Native students who then proceeded to enroll into Clackamas’ Renewable Energy Certificate program.
- Partnered with energy leaders in the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Pueblo of San Ildefonso, Spokane Tribe of Indians, Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Colville Reservation and the Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center to implement installation training programs for local tribal members.
Reaching Across Indian Country
One of the program’s achievements is its broad representation: this year 130 participants enrolled in TEA’s Education and Workforce programs, representing a diverse range of ages, backgrounds, and tribal affiliations, from recent high-school graduates seeking their first technical credential to mid-career professionals transitioning into the clean-energy sector. Participants represented 49 different Tribes across the United States. This diversity enriched every training cohort, bringing together perspectives from diverse communities, each with their own energy histories, challenges, and visions for the future.
TEA’s Tribal Energy Innovator (TEI) Fellowship 2024-2025 cohort spans from across the country from Pitt River to Passamaquoddy. The TEI Fellows are an inspiring group as they strive to bring in energy solutions to not only their communities, but internationally. Fellows worked both locally in their own communities and even went abroad throughout Asia, Europe, and South America to highlight the importance of tribal energy solutions.
The Tribal Energy Associates program had a standout year with a record-breaking number of applications for TEA’s 6-week online experiential learning program. Fifteen individuals were selected to participate from different tribal nations located in each region of the nation. Each participant brought their unique research scopes which contributed to a learning environment rooted in cultural relevance and shared purpose.
“I chose to focus my research on “Polar Solar”, (Dylan’s research topic that focuses on the successes of solar in northern territories that receive less sunlight), because the energy issues my tribe faces are pretty unique. The long winters, unreliable systems, and high costs my community face deserves more attention. I wanted to explore something that could respond to those issues close to home.” – Dylan Detloff, Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Tribal Energy Associate Program Participant
Building Momentum for Tribal Energy Sovereignty
The impact of the Tribal Energy Alternatives Education and Workforce Development Program extends far beyond the numbers. Graduates are now:
- Supporting solar and microgrid installations in their home communities
- Helping Tribal utilities plan for resilient and affordable energy futures
- Leading new school and community-based renewable-energy education efforts
- Securing employment and apprenticeships in rapidly growing clean-energy sectors
Each success story advances a broader movement toward energy sovereignty, where Tribal Nations design, build, and manage their own clean-energy infrastructure using skills cultivated from within their communities.
The TEA scholarship program supports rising Tribal energy leaders and provides opportunities for our scholars to engage with peers and professionals to build a network of support as they obtain an education in the industry.
“Growing up on the Wind River Indian Reservation as a member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe, I have seen firsthand how energy insecurity impacts our community—from high utility costs in the winter to unreliable access to power in rural areas. These experiences sparked my early interest in energy systems and the need for sustainable solutions rooted in tribal self-determination.” – Brandon Coffee, Northern Arapaho, TEA Scholar Recipient
Investing in Tribal Talent
The TEA Workforce Development program also prioritized direct investment in individuals, recognizing that financial support is often the greatest barrier to accessing high-quality technical education. The program operates under the philosophy that providing paid learning opportunities fosters an environment of innovation for participants. Over the course of the year, a total of $419,941 was directly disbursed to participants. This funding ensured that learning could remain the focus for each participant.
To date, participants have completed 8,173 formal hours of training, reflecting both the depth of the curriculum and the commitment of learners to mastering highly technical skills.
Looking to the Future
With continued interest from Tribal leaders, youth, and energy professionals, the TEA Workforce program is poised to grow even further in the coming year. Planned expansions include advanced certifications, inter-Tribal mentorship networks, and deeper partnerships with Tribal colleges and technical institutions.
As the clean-energy transition accelerates, programs like this one ensures that Indigenous Nations are not just participants, they are leaders shaping the future of sustainable energy across the continent. To learn more about how you can support the work of Tribal Energy Alternatives visit:
https://tribalalternatives.org