The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF), in collaboration with Efficiency Vermont and its Efficiency Excellence Network, is excited to announce the seven companies selected to participate in Tools of the Trade – Business Coaching for Energy Pros. This nine-month, in-person business training program is designed to help Vermont weatherization and energy service contractors strengthen and grow their businesses.
Tools of the Trade provides weatherization and energy contractors with a proven framework for building and sustaining their businesses. Participants will strengthen skills in workforce recruitment and retention, financial management, operational efficiency, customer pipeline development, and leadership. The program is designed to improve business viability and help Vermonters save money, increase home comfort, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The nine-month program runs from January through September 2026 and includes monthly half-day interactive sessions, one-on-one coaching, peer learning, and access to industry professionals such as employment attorneys and workforce training providers. Eligible graduates may receive up to $1,500 in business support incentives.
Meet the Selected Companies
The following businesses have been chosen to participate in Tools of the Trade:
- Vermont Foam Insulation, Chester
- On The Dot HVAC, Barre
- Gruner Builders, Essex Junction
- Peak Efficiency, Winhall
- Solsaa Building and Energy Solutions, Rutland
- Earthshare Construction, Lebanon, NH
- Lang Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, Newport
Tools of the Trade is funded by Efficiency Vermont, Vermont Gas Systems and Burlington Electric Department. Click to learn more.
About The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund
The Vermont Sustainable Jobs Fund (VSJF) provides tailored business management coaching, entrepreneurial support, and training to position Vermont entrepreneurs for growth and long-term success. Tools of the Trade – Business Fundamentals for Energy Pros program is an expansion of its existing business coaching program. Our clients include Vermont-based, value-added food and agricultural, forest-related, renewable energy, waste management, and environmental/clean technology enterprises that are supplying products and services to a diverse marketplace. VSJF recently published the Business Sense series, a no-fluff source of information that gets right to the heart of what small business owners need – essential tools and informational resources to help their businesses grow.
About Efficiency Vermont
As the nation’s first Energy Efficiency Utility, Efficiency Vermont has helped Vermont save more than $3.5 billion in lifetime savings and avoid over 14.5 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions since 2000. Operated by clean energy nonprofit VEIC, Efficiency Vermont has received the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s ENERGY STAR® program Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence award over eight consecutive years. Efficiency Vermont works with partners to help our state transition to more affordable, low-carbon energy use through education, incentives, and support for our clean energy workforce. Learn more at www.efficiencyvermont.com.
About The Efficiency Excellence Network
Managed by Efficiency Vermont, the Efficiency Excellence Network hosts members who are a licensed and insured network of independent contractors committed to providing their customers with the highest level of professional energy efficiency services. The network is comprised of experts in the advanced technologies and building science that make buildings more energy efficient and affordable to maintain. They are also trained to understand and consider important health and safety measures that are key to any job.