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.

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 option or May 28, 2025 virtual option
| No job shadowing this session

Session 2 - June 11, 2025 in-person option or June 25, 2025 virtual option
| Job shadowing: June 18, 2025

Session 3 - July 9, 2025 in-person option or July 23, 2025 virtual option
| Job shadowing: July 16, 2025

Session 4 - Aug. 6, 2025 in-person option or Aug. 20, 2025 virtual option
| Job shadowing: Aug. 13, 2025