What is Next Gen?

Next Gen is a professional development program offered by New Buildings Institute since 2021 for all college students, whether they are enrolled in a 4-year university, community college, or trade school. Next Gen fosters the next generation of diverse buildings industry leaders, and in doing so bolsters inclusivity in the buildings industry at large. Over the course of the program, students will work with each other as part of a cohort and benefit from resume building, interview practice, mentorship, sponsored conference attendance, networking, and more.

Since its inception, Next Gen has served over 80 students from 23 states, Canada, and England. 73% of the students identified as women or nonbinary and 64% identified as people of color.

With the support and generosity of our donors, students can participate in this one-of-a-kind career preparation program without the burden of financial barriers. If you are interested in sponsoring students to participate in the program or becoming a mentor, you can find more information here.

Why Next Gen?

Low-income communities and people of color are most at risk of being left behind by the zero energy and electrification movement, which will likely result in significant financial hardship unless programs are planned with equity at their core. Building electrification policies can have unintentional but harmful consequences for low-income residents and people of color when created without community input. Thus, incorporating people from diverse backgrounds into the workforce is crucial for creating an equitable transition to clean energy. However, a 2021 E2 report found that Black people make up only 8% of the clean energy workforce and Hispanic/Latinos represent just 16.5%. Next Gen works to fill this gap by providing participants with tools and skills to help them succeed as they enter the workforce.

The number of jobs in this industry is also increasing, with almost 300,000 clean energy jobs added in 2022, including growth in every state (DOE, 2023). As a sector, we need to ensure students of color have the knowledge, resources, and relationships to succeed, join leadership ranks, and make high-level decisions that will make buildings both an asset to the climate and a healthy place for people to live, work, and learn. By positioning participants to have a seat the table, Next Gen helps ensure all people can access and benefit from building efficiency and electrification measures.

What Does the Program Look Like?

The Next Gen program year begins with orientation in December, official launch in January, and program activities through June. Participants can expect to commit approximately 4 hours each month to the program December-June.

The program offers benefits to students through:

1. Education, including formal certification;
2. Mentorship;
3. Sponsored conference attendance and networking opportunities;
4. Professional development, such as resume preparation and interview practice;
5. and cohort building through collaboration and a peer-to-peer support network.

Are you ready to be part of Next Gen?

1. Students: Apply for the program. Applications are due October 31, 2024.
2. Sponsors: Remove financial barriers and help us develop the clean energy leaders of tomorrow.
3. Mentors: Apply for the program to share your knowledge and cultivate new, eager talent in the clean energy space.

Program Testimonials

“Being part of the Next Gen cohort opened my eyes to a world of possibilities in the sustainable building industry that I had previously been oblivious to. Over the course of the program, I was able to learn the fundamentals of net zero buildings, make connections with multiple working professionals, and find my place within a network of like-minded individuals. I am feeling incredibly inspired by all the work and research going into sustainable building practices and more confident than ever in my ability to one day contribute to this ever-expanding field.”

“The Next Gen program has been the best professional/career development program I have ever been part of. As an engineer with a passion for sustainable development and energy efficiency, the program beautifully complemented what I had learned at college and things I had researched. Beyond benefitting from the ASHRAE course, my mentor played an important role in my personal and career development. My mentor and I share similar backgrounds, being both Caribbean international students, and her advice has helped me see there is hope for me to develop my career and give back to my home community. Lastly, the conference allowed me to network with industry professionals and see the value in coming together to achieve a shared goal. I would 100% recommend this program to students who want to be community builders and affect environmental change!”

Interested in learning more?

Email Emma Riccardi at emma@newbuildings.org.