What is Next Gen?

Next Gen is a professional development program offered by New Buildings Institute since 2021 to prepare students for careers in energy and green buildings, with a particular focus on participants from communities historically underrepresented in the building industry. Next Gen fosters the next generation of diverse buildings industry leaders, empowering them to use their perspectives and identities to make a difference. Over the course of the program, students will work with each other as part of a cohort and benefit from resume building, professional certifications, interview practice, one-on-one mentorship, sponsored conference attendance, networking, and more. 

Since its inception, Next Gen has served over 110 students from 23 states, Canada, and England. Nearly 70% of the students identified as women or nonbinary and 70% identified as people of color. 

Applications for the 2026 Next Gen Cohort are now open. Apply today!

With the support and generosity of our donors, students can participate in this one-of-a-kind career preparation program without the burden of financial barriers. If you are interested in becoming a program mentor, please fill out this form. 

If you are interested in supporting this program financially, please contact Meghan Humphreys (meghan@newbuildings.org). Your support makes it possible for us to ensure this impactful program can continue to support students, now and in the future.

Industry in Transition

Although clean energy jobs are outpacing the rest of the economy in job growth, women and communities of color remain underrepresented. The National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) 2023 Built Environment Workforce Survey  found a lack of minority and female employees in the sector – only 18% of respondents identified as people of color and 31% as female.  The Next Gen program gives diverse future building sector leaders the knowledge, resources, and relationships to succeed as they begin their careers. By positioning participants to have a seat at the table, Next Gen helps ensure ALL people can access and benefit from building efficiency and electrification measures. Next Gen alumni have gone on to engineering graduate degrees, careers in construction and building design, and more. We need a more diverse building workforce. Next Gen is part of the solution. 

What Does the Program Look Like?

The Next Gen program year begins with orientation in March, followed by the first group meeting in April, and program activities through December. Participants can expect to commit approximately 4 hours each month to the program April-December. 

The program offers benefits to students through: 

• Education, including formal certification (LEED Green Associate or foundational course for the Building Operator Certification); 
• Mentorship;
• Sponsored conference attendance and networking opportunities; 
• Professional development, such as resume preparation and interview practice; 
• Cohort building through collaboration and a peer-to-peer support network. 

To be eligible for the program, you must be:  

• Currently enrolled in school (full-time, part-time, 4-year college, 2-year college, and trade school all count!)  
• Able to commit approximately 4 hours per month to program participation from March-December 2026 
• Interested in a career in sustainable building and/or clean energy 

Are you ready to be part of Next Gen? 

• Students: Apply for the program. Applications are due March 6, 2026. 
• Sponsors: Remove financial barriers and help us develop the clean energy leaders of tomorrow. Contact us here. 
• Mentors: Get in touch to share your knowledge and cultivate new, eager talent in the clean energy space. 

Alumni Spotlight: Ryan Pham

Ryan participated in the 2024 Next Gen cohort, working with mentor Scott Schuetter and focusing on energy-efficient building practices and exploring pathways into the field through graduate school and beyond. He is now a graduate student at the University of California Los Angeles: “I’m currently pursuing a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering at UCLA focused on clean energy, and the Next Gen program was instrumental in getting me here. Through mentorship, professional development, and experiences like attending the Getting to Zero Conference, Next Gen solidified my commitment to clean energy and decarbonization. Next Gen directly shaped my career path toward developing technologies that support a net-zero future.” 

Interested in learning more?

Email Emma Riccardi at emma@newbuildings.org.