Heat Pump Advantage Training
In Partnership with TECH Clean Califoria
California's transition to high-efficiency heat pump technology demands a skilled, ready workforce. TECH’s Heat Pump Advantage Training program delivers intensive technical education to the licensed contractors on the frontlines of that transition — with a focused commitment to the regions that need it most.
Who it's for: Licensed General B, C-20 HVAC, and C-36 Plumbing contractors
What we deliver: 15 statewide training sessions targeting 200 licensed contractors, with specialized outreach in the Central Valley and Inland Empire
What sets it apart: These trainings are designed to go beyond the curriculum. Each session creates a peer-learning forum where contractors share real-world experience and solve problems together — building not just individual expertise, but collective strength across the trade.
Contractors leave with the technical knowledge to confidently install and service heat pump systems and the customer education skills to bring homeowners along in the process.
Workforce Education & Training
We at The Ortiz Group (TOG) believe the clean energy transition is only as strong as the workforce behind it and only succeeds when every community is a part of it. Disadvantaged communities shouldn’t just benefit from the clean energy economy, they should help lead it.
Our Workforce Education & Training programs are designed to close the “Green Divide.” Through hands-on training, community-rooted partnerships, and intentional workforce pipelines, we equip contractors, community organizations, and first-time trade entrants with the skills and connections they need to thrive in California's electrification future.
Empowering People. Advancing Clean Energy.
Leaving No Community Behind.
Flagship Training Programs
CBO Electrification Training
In partnership with TECH Clean California
Real change happens when expertise lives inside the community — not just delivered to it. As the lead Equity Consultant and Workforce Education & Training expert on this program, The Ortiz Group ensures that electrification knowledge doesn't just pass through Disadvantaged Communities (DACs) — it stays there.
Our Community Based Organization (CBO) Electrification Training program is designed to empower local non-profits (those with and without contractor roles) with the tools and knowledge to effectively communicate home electrification, safety, and available programs to community members that are served by these non-profits and advocates.
By delivering a foundational curriculum that demystifies heat pump technology and breaks down available incentives, we directly reduce the information barriers that have historically kept underserved homeowners and local contractors on the outside of the clean energy economy.
Training contractors within CBO environments TOG has bridged the gap between community advocacy and professional trade skills, creating a more robust and inclusive market for residential electrification services.
Curriculum & Content Development
We believe that effective training starts with curriculum built for the communities it serves — practical, accessible, and grounded in lived reality. We partner with trusted organizations to develop education that meets people where they are.
Community Resource Project (CRP)
In partnership with Aura Planning, we co-developed an 8-week curriculum for CRP's CLEAN-Air Job Training program — part of the Community Learning, Employment & Awareness Network for Air (CLEAN-Air) initiative, funded through a California Air Resources Board (CARB) Community Air Grant. The curriculum covers hands on training in electrical fundamentals, HVAC, solar, EV charger installation, air and energy quality audits, soft skills development, and job shadowing — giving participants a comprehensive foundation for careers in the clean energy trades.
Rising Sun Center for Opportunity
We developed a workforce curriculum on “What Is Electrification” through Power Point decks and self-paced video training modules. We also developed bilingual (English & Spanish) marketing collateral — designed to educate employees and community members on what electrification means and how to access it. Language access isn't an afterthought in our work. It's a core commitment.
Workforce Pipeline & Placement
Training opens doors. We make sure those doors lead somewhere.
Our Contractor–Student Mixer model is one of the most direct expressions of our approach: bringing emerging workforce talent and established contractors into the same room, creating real connections that give students real opportunity for employment and career growth.
We cultivate deep partnerships with industry and community based organizations, training facilities, and Regional Energy Networks (RENs) to ensure that every person we train has a clear path forward — not just a certificate.
Because a workforce pipeline only works when every part of it is connected.
Equity-Focused Workforce Development
Equity isn't a program feature at The Ortiz Group. It's the foundation everything is built on.
We are deeply committed to ensuring that the clean energy workforce reflects the communities California's programs are meant to serve. That means intentionally designing training and outreach for:
Low-income and underserved communities, including designated Disadvantaged Communities (DACs)
First-time entrants to the trades, who may not have traditional pathways into the industry
Diverse workforce participants, with a focus on communities historically excluded from clean energy opportunities
Hard-to-reach populations — through accessible training formats designed around location, cost, language, and trust
We partner with community-based organizations because we know that the most effective outreach happens through trusted relationships. We don't ask communities to come to us. We show up where they are.
QHVAC R410A Phase-Out Seminars
In partnership with Frontier Energy
The HVAC industry is changing fast. Our statewide R410A Refrigerant Phase-Out Seminar focuses on preparing C-20 HVAC contractors for the A2L transition. They will be equipped with the knowledge they need to navigate California's evolving regulatory landscape — and keep their businesses competitive in the process. In-person sessions give contractors direct access to industry expertise, peer connection, and practical, field-ready resources.
CBO 2025 Program Year Results:
66 total participants reached through a flexible hybrid delivery model
52 specialized contractors empowered with the technical knowledge and practical tools to lead electrification efforts in their local communities
39 in-person participants and 27 virtual attendees — meeting contractors and community members where they are.
Highlights - Program Outcomes
Training Opportunities
Please see our events page for more information about the trainings we offer. We hope to see you at the next one!
The Ortiz Group is committed to ensuring that California's clean energy workforce is skilled, diverse, and rooted in the communities it serves.
Interested in partnering with us or bringing our training programs to your region? Get in touch.