Madras High seniors look at clean-energy careers through Green Ladders program

Madras High School seniors have been learning about working in the clean-energy sector through the Green Ladders program, which is organized by the climate-activism organization 350Deschutes.

Through classes, lectures and trade fairs, organizers hope to share career opportunities with youth who may have not had any idea that they existed.

“These students are motivated to work, and they’re already working,” said Diane Hodiak, executive director and co-founder of 350Deschutes. “Youth should have the opportunity to learn.”

These are the kinds of entry jobs that students can do at age 18, with training but without a four-year college degree, said Hodiak.

Madras High held a family night Thursday to introduce families to the Green Ladders program and clean-energy careers, as well as help them learn ways to lower their heating bills by installing a heat pump.

The Pacific Power Foundation was instrumental in starting the program, said Hodiak, through a Community Enhancement and Environmental Respect grant from the foundation. The Energy Trust of Oregon is also supporting the program.

Students have been introduced to jobs such as designing solar installations, installing wind turbines and working as HVAC technicians or solar analysts. 350Deschutes has been working with students for the past few years, said Hodiak, but only got classes started this year.

The first class, held in September, asked students to check their own homes for drafts and what types of energy they were using for heating and cooling systems. The high school hosted four classes this semester, with around 25 students participating in the first one, said Samantha Loza, college and career coordinator at Madras High School.

Loza originally heard about the program last year. This year, once it was officially off the ground, she began inviting students she thought would be interested, including students in environmental science, members of the environmental club and senior Alice Belgarde.

“I didn’t realize what the careers were,” said Belgarde. “I wouldn’t have known about it if I hadn’t been pulled in, but I’m thinking more about it.”

Experts came in to talk about renewable energy and wind energy, as well as discuss jobs in the clean energy field. Loza said Monday that she expected 12 students for the final class on Thursday.

“Being able to apply (the material) to their lives and households helps,” said Loza.

The Green Ladders program is encouraging students to attend the Central Oregon Skilled Trades Fair, run through the High Desert Educational Service District. Teachers and students were also invited to attend 350Deschutes’ Go Clean Energy Conference.

Hodiak said she was excited to help high schoolers think of their future.

Here is Oregon in central Oregon

— Noemi Arellano-Summer, narellanosummer@bendbulletin.com, 541-383-0325