Houston is taking a significant step toward building a more sustainable and inclusive workforce. Earlier in July, the City Council approved an ordinance to expand the EmPowering Solar Jobs Program in partnership with Houston Community College (HCC).
It adds new campus locations and budget line items to the existing agreement, all without raising the program’s total cost of $459,206.
The initiative, originally launched in late 2023, is funded by a combination of Department of Labor Community Project Funding (DOL-CPF) totaling $376,706 and $82,500 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), with $0 financed from state, local and /or non-governmental funds. It targets residents without college degrees, offering them a pathway into the clean energy economy through training in solar installation and electrical technician skills.
“The expansion of job training with HCC is empowering the Solar Jobs program. It’s a workforce development program that’s going to continue to offer training in electrical technician and solar installation programs, among other things,” said Councilmember Tiffany Thomas. “It’s expanding to a hundred participants over 10 campuses. Houston is the energy capital of the world and the energy transition capital. We’re making sure these jobs and folks are job-ready here in Houston, and it’s a really great program.”
More campuses, more access
Under the first amendment to the subrecipient agreement between the City and HCC, the number of campuses offering the program has grown from a limited initial group to 10 campuses across Houston and the surrounding areas. These include:
- South Campus (South College), 1990 Airport Blvd, Houston, TX 77051
- West Loop Campus (Southwest College), 5601 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77081
- Felix Fraga Campus (Southeast College), 301 N Drennan St, Houston, TX 77003
- Alief Bissonnet Campus (Northwest), 13803 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77083
- Brays Oaks (Southwest College), 8855 W. Bellfort Ave, Houston, TX 77031
- Stafford Campus (Southwest College), 10041 Cash Rd, Stafford, TX 77477
- Central Campus (Central College), 1300 Holman St, Houston, TX 77004
- Northeast Campus (Northeast College), 555 Community College Dr, Houston, TX 77013
- North Forest Campus (Northeast College), 6010 Little York Road, Houston, TX 77016
- Northline Campus (Northeast College), 8001 Fulton Street, Houston, TX 77022
A pathway to green jobs
The EmPowering Solar Jobs Program aims to prepare at least 100 participants for careers in the growing clean energy sector. The training includes certification programs for electrical technicians and solar panel installers, supplemented by case management services and the purchase of instructional supplies.
The EmPowering Solar Jobs program provides funding to cover the cost of tuition, books and tools for qualifying students.
The program is specifically designed to serve individuals without college degrees, providing a viable career pathway into STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields that are projected to see significant job growth as the U.S. transitions toward renewable energy.
Federal funding, local impact
The program’s funding comes from congressionally directed spending, or Community Project Funding. These are federal dollars allocated by members of Congress for specific local initiatives. In this case, HCD applied to the U.S. Department of Labor, with HCC designated as one of the training providers in the approved project.
Notably, the amendment does not extend the program’s timeline from November 1, 2023, through October 31, 2025. Instead, the ordinance ensures that the existing funds are used more efficiently by expanding access points.
The EmPowering Solar Jobs Program highlights the city’s broader push to invest in workforce readiness, especially in communities historically excluded from high-wage, high-growth careers.
The amendment was previously reviewed by the Housing and Affordability Committee on May 27, 2025, and passed with favorable recommendations.
