Energy Trust supports the knowledge and skill development of its trade allies. This page outlines the resources available for trade allies who are new to Energy Trust and wish to build their business skills, and for more experienced trade allies who wish to make sure their skills in energy efficiency and renewable energy are current.
Energy Trust of Oregon collaborates with trade ally contractors and other professionals within its network to connect customers to available incentives and services. The Contractor Development Pathway is a program designed for trade allies.
Overview of Pathway
Are you a contractor performing residential or commercial building retrofits by installing insulation, HVAC/refrigeration systems, water heating systems, or other energy efficient upgrades?
Energy Trust is now accepting applications for the 2026 cohort of the Contractor Development Pathway. As a participant in the Contractor Development Pathway, you’ll have the opportunity not only to access technical, business, and programmatic resources, but also to expand your professional network and build meaningful relationships with contractors from communities historically underserved by Energy Trust. This pathway is designed to foster collaboration and connection, empowering you to grow your business while strengthening ties within a diverse contractor community.
This includes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and person of color) owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned and rural contracting businesses within Energy Trust’s Home Retrofit and Existing Buildings programs.
Application and Getting Started
The application process includes two steps: first, a brief business overview form to learn more about your business and eligibility; second, a 15–20-minute conversation with a member of the CDP team to learn more about your business goals and answer any questions you may have about the pathway.
Please take 5-10 minutes to fill out the business overview form below. Once completed, you will receive a confirmation notice with next steps. A member of the Contractor Development Pathway team will then reach out to continue the application process. Please feel free to email cdp@energytrust.org if you have any questions.
Benefits of Participating
The Contractor Development Pathway is designed to help you grow your business in the energy-efficiency sector, by providing:
- Peer Mentorship. Partner with experienced professionals to grow your business with energy efficiency.
- Network of Support. Grow your network while completing your action plan alongside cohort colleagues and community partners.
- Increase Knowledge. Attend training workshops to expand your knowledge of the energy efficiency industry, utility programs and more.
- Business Development Services. Receive individual business services to grow your business sustainably. Services may include business planning, marketing, COBID certification assistance and more.
Cost
- There is no cost to participate in the Contractor Development Pathway.
Eligibility
You are eager to learn more about energy efficiency and how to grow your business in this industry.
Your business is enrolled or is willing to enroll in Energy Trust’s Home Retrofit or Existing Buildings Trade Ally Network* by the pathway start in February 2026.
*Trade allies install energy efficiency measures that align with Energy Trust incentives. ** For example, this includes trades that typically install these services:
- Window installers
- Mechanical/HVAC installers
- Insulation installers
- Water heater installers
- General contractors who subcontract these services
**Current incentives can be found here:
- Incentives for existing homes
- Incentives for existing commercial buildings
- Incentives for existing multifamily buildings
Business owners are encouraged to apply to this pathway if they identify as a priority population. Priority populations are defined as:
- Asian, Asian American and/or South Asian;
- Black and/or African American;
- Hispanic and/or Latine/o/a;
- Middle Eastern and/or North African;
- Native American and/or Alaska Native;
- Native Hawaiian and/or other Pacific Islander
- Minority Business Enterprise (self-identified or COBID MBE certified)
- Women-owned (self-identified or COBID WBE certified)
- Veteran-owned (self-identified or COBID SDVBE certified)
- Located in a rural community
Participation Expectations
- The Contractor Development Pathway is a one- or two-year commitment beginning in February 2026 with approximately 2-4 hours of scheduled activities per month, including one-on-one services and group workshops. Second year resources build on foundational resources provided in the first year.
- Participants are expected to attend all group workshops and one-on-one services and meet regularly with the pathway staff.
- Participation is required by a business owner or co-owner. A second individual from the business is welcome to join for pathway activities.
- Participants will be asked to share information via ongoing surveys about their experience and economic impact.
- Participants must complete at least one energy efficiency project by the end of 2026 with support from Energy Trust.
If you would like to learn about whether this pathway is right for your business, please attend a virtual information session on one of the following dates by registering via the links below.
Information Sessions:
- Friday, October 24, 12pm-12:30pm PST | Register to attend (English)
- Monday, November 3, 8am-8:30am PST | Register to attend (Spanish)
- Monday, November 10, 4pm-4:30pm PST | Register to attend (English)
- Wednesday, November 12, 11am-11:30am PST | Register to attend (Spanish)
The next cohort starts in February 2026. Applications for the 2026 cohort open on October 1st, 2025. Selection of participants for the 2026 cohort will begin on November 30th, 2025. Apply now to secure your space in the next cohort.
If you are ready to apply to the Contractor Development Pathway, click the apply now button below to start your application.
This application requests information about your business, business owner demographics, your business’s Trade Ally status, and what you would like to gain by participating in the Contractor Development Pathway. The application process includes two steps: first, a brief business overview form to learn more about your business and eligibility; second, a 15–20-minute conversation with a member of the CDP team to learn more about your business goals and answer any questions you may have about the pathway.
A Contractor Development Pathway team member is available to answer any questions about the application process and provide assistance. Please reach out to cdp@energytrust.org for support.
Make an Impact: Mentor a Fellow Trade Ally
Energy Trust of Oregon is seeking established trade allies to mentor participants in the Contractor Development Pathway (CDP). Mentors support CDP by working one-on-one with new and emerging trade allies to provide peer mentorship.
Purpose of Peer Mentorship
- Strengthen support for contractors from communities historically underserved by Energy Trust. This includes BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and person of color) owned, woman-owned, veteran-owned and rural contracting businesses within Energy Trust’s Home Retrofit and Existing Buildings programs.
- Foster trade ally connection.
- Equip mentees with the business and industry knowledge and support needed to grow and develop their businesses.
Who can be a mentor?
Established trade allies interested in enhancing their leadership skills to support new and emerging trade allies are encouraged to complete an interest form.
Each business should submit one interest form. Please designate a Primary Mentor to serve as the main point of contact for Peer Mentorship. The Primary Mentor is typically the business owner or a senior leader responsible for leading the mentoring relationship.
Mentorship is most effective when it reflects the real-world operations of a successful business. Businesses are encouraged to involve other key members who can offer expertise in different areas. These may include office management, installers, service coordinators, and project managers. You will have the opportunity in the interest form to list any additional team members who will contribute to the mentoring process. These individuals may participate in specific mentoring sessions or provide guidance in their area of expertise.
Benefits of Participation for Mentors
- Opportunities to expand your professional network.
- Develop skills as a teacher, advisor, and leader.
- Business may be featured on Energy Trust’s Insider website.
- Compensation of $150 per hour or $200 per hour for bilingual mentors.
- Matching requests and preferences may be accommodated.
Mentor Eligibility
Businesses must meet the following eligibility requirements to participate in Peer Mentorship:
- Be enrolled in Energy Trust’s Home Retrofit program OR Existing Buildings program with at least two years of experience completing Energy Trust projects and be in good standing.
- Have completed at least two projects with Energy Trust’s incentive programs within the past five years.
- Have been in business for three or more years.
- Have a strong interest in sharing information and helping others develop skills to grow their business.
Be encouraged! Mentors are not expected to have all the answers. Your experience alone offers valuable guidance and support.
Express Your Interest
If you would like to learn about whether this opportunity is right for your business, please attend a virtual information session on one of the following dates by registering via the links below.
Information Sessions:
- Monday, November 3, 9am-9:30am PST | Register to attend November 3 session
- Friday, November 21, 12pm-12:30pm PST | Register to attend November 21 session
- Thursday, December 18, 4pm-4:30pm PST | Register to attend December 18 session
The Contractor Development Pathway is an annual cohort-based program. Complete an interest form today and learn more about how you can get involved to support contractors!
If you need assistance filling out the interest form, wonder if this opportunity is right for you, or have any questions, please email the CDP Team at cdp@energytrust.org.