Designed for students eager to explore the world of high-performance building, this six-month program provides certified pre-apprenticeship and a foundation in passive house principles, offering both technical knowledge and real-world exposure to energy-efficient construction and design.

Participants will engage directly with leading professionals in the field—builders, designers, developers, and project managers—gaining insights and networking opportunities with local organizations like Juniper Design + Build and Maine Passive House. They’ll also become certified pre-apprentices under Maine’s apprenticeship program. Whether you're considering a future career in sustainable building or simply want to expand your understanding of passive building, this program offers a unique, hands-on introduction to the industry.

If you have an interest in hands-on projects, design, building science, engineering or carpentry, we welcome you to apply. We hope this program will encourage young Mainers from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds to become a part of the trades!

Applications are currently open to be part of the first cohort. Decisions will be made on or by May 2, 2025 so apply today to reserve your spot today!
Click here to apply.

Program details

Running from May 14 through November, the Pre-Apprenticeship Program combines flexible learning and real-world exposure to passive house design and construction.

Each month, students will participate in:

• One in-person training session (mid-month) or repeat virtual session (end of the month) to accommodate different schedules. The first session is three hours, while later sessions run about two hours. In-person sessions happen Wednesday evenings from 5:30 to 7:30p, while virtual sessions will happen Wednesdays between 12 and 1p.

• Monthly job shadowing opportunities with phME partner firms, providing an inside look at passive house projects—whether at a firm’s office or an active job site. While primarily observational, these experiences will give students a first-hand understanding of the daily work involved in sustainable building. Floating job shadowing events will be announced in advance.

• Access to an available stipend to help support student participation.

By the end of the program, certified pre-apprentices will have built valuable connections with industry professionals, making this an excellent stepping stone toward future apprenticeships, internships, and job opportunities in the growing field of high-performance building. For questions, please email phME’s Training Director, Erin Scally at erin[a]passivhausmaine.org.

Session dates

Session 1 - May 14, 2025 in-person at Royal River Heat Pumps in Freeport or May 28, 2025 virtual | No job shadowing this session

Session 2 - June 11, 2025 in-person at Royal River Heat Pumps in Freeport or June 25, 2025 virtual | Job shadowing: June 18, 2025

Session 3 - July 9, 2025 in-person at Royal River Heat Pumps in Freeport or July 23, 2025 virtual | Job shadowing: July 16, 2025

Session 4 - Aug. 6, 2025 in-person in Freeport or Aug. 20, 2025 virtual
| Job shadowing: Aug. 13, 2025 with Maine Passive House