By participating, teachers and students will get hands-on experience envisioning and designing clean energy solutions that can make a real-world impact. The challenge will also connect CTE students to the vast career opportunities in clean energy and other vital infrastructure industries.
The importance of clean energy careers
America’s infrastructure is in need of major upgrades and investments to meet the needs of a changing climate and growing population. After decades of underinvestment, Congress has approved $1.7 trillion to rebuild the nation’s infrastructure — creating immense opportunities in clean energy development.
However, workforce gaps in fields like construction, plumbing, and renewable energy installation threaten to stall progress. A robust talent pipeline of skilled tradespeople is crucial for implementing renewable energy projects and achieving America’s clean energy goals.
CTE programs powering the clean energy workforce
CTE programs are uniquely positioned to fuel the clean energy workforce of the future. CTE students gain valuable hands-on skills in construction, manufacturing, engineering, and other trades that align with clean energy careers. The Power Your Future Challenge taps into CTE students’ knowledge, drive, and creativity to develop real-world solutions that advance clean energy adoption in their communities. Through this challenge, the next generation of clean energy leaders can shape America’s future.
Challenge overview
The submission period opened on August 6, 2024. Teachers and students have access to challenge resources and can review the submission form. Additional resources may be added throughout the challenge.
Submissions will close on November 19, 2024. The review period will commence in November. The judging panel will recommend up to 10 winning teams. The U.S. Department of Education anticipates announcing winning teams in February 2025.
Eligibility
An eligible entrant to the Power Your Future Challenge must either be:
- An Eligible Recipient under the Perkins Act.
- The term Eligible Recipient means: a local educational agency (including a public charter school that operates as a local educational agency), an area career and technical education school, an educational service agency, an Indian Tribe, Tribal organization, or Tribal educational agency or a consortium, eligible to receive assistance under section 131; or an eligible institution or consortium of eligible institutions eligible to receive assistance under section 132; or
- A state or local public or private nonprofit entity that partners with at least one Eligible Recipient (as described in the previous bullet) above to connect high school students to clean energy career opportunities.
The Department will make eligibility determinations after submissions close. For more information, please refer to the Official Rules, Terms, and Conditions, or check with your school’s administration or your state or local CTE coordinator.
About CTE Momentum
CTE Momentum is a U.S. Department of Education annual challenge series to prepare high school students for rewarding careers and increase access to career and technical education.
Each school year, the U.S. Department of Education invites educators and high school students to participate in a new challenge focused on a topic of national importance. This annual series empowers educators with resources and ideas to help American schools become centers of innovation and possibility.
Bring the challenge to your classroom.
Learn more about clean energy and how your team can develop an action plan to make an impact in your community.