Creating opportunities to help build Detroit’s local workforce and foster thriving communities is what fuels DTE Energy. That fuel has sparked a new passion for graduates of DTE’s Energy Efficiency Academy as they transition into a new career within the clean energy industry, earning more than double the state’s minimum wage. Demetria Tucker took an interest in the program after seeing a posting on social media about a paid training opportunity.
“I was looking to make more money to support my growing family,” said Demetria Tucker, a graduate of the Energy Efficiency Academy. “Although I was apprehensive, I submitted my application and the rest is history.”
Demetria, along with several other trainees, completed the program last June earning Building Analyst and Healthy Home Evaluator certifications through the Building Performance Institute, and secured full-time energy efficiency roles with wages up to $30 per hour. The positive experience has further driven Demetria’s interest in advancing her clean energy career, while making a difference in community by teaching others how to reduce their energy use.
“I’ve become quite knowledgeable on how to make homes more energy efficient and have seen a reduction in my own home energy costs by applying what I’ve learned from the academy,” said Tucker. “I am now looking to further my education within this field and get a certification in lead abatement. I’ve found my career, and I am so grateful for the DTE Energy Efficiency Academy.”
The Energy Efficiency Academy is DTE’s latest workforce development program, in partnership with Walker-Miller Energy Services, to address the growing demand for energy-efficient home repairs in Detroit. Its spring cohort kicked off late last month, with the intention of increasing reach and driving impact across neighborhoods in Detroit facing the highest energy burdens. With a focus on education and upskilling, the training program provides participants with the resources needed to achieve home repair satisfaction, while implementing cost-saving measures and reducing energy use.
For more information about the Energy Efficiency Academy, visit empoweringmichigan.com/EEAcademy. To learn more about DTE’s energy-saving programs, visit dteeenrgy.com/saveenergy.
