FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: AUGUST 5TH, 2025 

ORGANIZATIONS AWARDED GRANTS TO BUILD VIRGINIA’S ENERGY EFFICIENCY WORKFORCE

VAEEC and FLIPP Inc. honor recipients of the Energy Efficiency Workforce Initiative

Glen Allen, Virginia — August 5th, 2025. Today, the Virginia Energy Efficiency Council (VAEEC) and FLIPP Inc. are celebrating the first round of awards to local contractors as part of the Energy Efficiency Trades Workforce Development Program born out of VAEEC’s Energy Efficiency Workforce Initiative (EEWI). The program leverages VAEEC’s statewide network and FLIPP Inc.’s on-the-ground community engagement to support workforce development. Together, we are bridging gaps and building capacity for a stronger, more inclusive energy efficiency workforce across Virginia.

The event is part of a press tour across the Commonwealth celebrating the first cohort of awardees. These grants support training, education, and job placement efforts for careers in energy efficiency, an industry critical to achieving climate goals and building economic resilience.

“This funding will be instrumental in assisting with the costs of training the workforce of the future. The organization is grateful to FLIPP inc. and the VAEEC for the investment in the community’s workforce. The grant expands the organization’s reach and equips individuals with valuable lifetime skills for the current job market, while strengthening the local economies across two states” said a Quick A.C Quote representative. 

“We are proud to partner with FLIPP Inc. on this innovative, statewide initiative,” said Chelsea Harnish, Executive Director of the VAEEC. “By supporting energy efficiency contractors and trades across Virginia, we are advancing workforce development, promoting equity, and driving a sustainable energy future.”

“Innovative and novel programs like the Trades Workforce Development Program funded by the EEWI represent a down payment on accelerating workforce development within the skilled trades across the State of Virginia and addressing funding gaps that are affecting that innovation and deployment. This award to Quick AC Quote demonstrates our collective commitment to encouraging employment of women in Registered Apprenticeship, OJT and non-traditional occupations and the delivery of supportive services, as well as employer incentives.,” said Raye Elliott, FLIPP Inc. Co-Founder and Executive Director.

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About VAEEC:

Founded in 2012, VAEEC is a 501(c)(3) organization headquartered in Richmond, whose goal is to facilitate discussions and share resources to advance energy efficiency throughout the Commonwealth. We engage our members to identify barriers to and opportunities for energy efficiency advancement, and to develop a strong, fact-based, and balanced industry voice before local, state, and national policymakers and regulators. Our diverse group of over 100 members includes Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, local governments, state agencies, and more, whose vision is for energy efficiency to be an integral part of Virginia’s economy and clean energy future.

About FLIPP Inc.:

FLIPP Inc. is a Black-, female-, veteran-, and justice-impacted-led, NABCEP-accredited 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is to create an inclusive workforce that reduces employment barriers for justice-impacted individuals, veterans, BIPOC, women, and youth, and empowers low-income communities with renewable energy and entrepreneurship development training.