Specifications include, but are not limited to: Through this RFP, the REF seeks to increase diversity within the Ocean State’s clean energy workforce and create career pathways for Rhode Island college students (as defined below) that lead to greater economic stability. REF’s Clean Energy Internship Program exposes students to career pathways and opportunities in clean energy. In doing so, the REF is committed to ensuring students of color are exposed to career pathways and opportunities in clean energy, and that the program is inclusive of and effective for students of color. The REF is seeking to partner with training providers (“Training Providers”) who can recruit, retain and track college students of color for internships with Host Companies during the summer 2024 round of the Clean Energy Internship Program (the “Program” or “Internship Program”). Training Providers should have experience recruiting, supporting, and mentoring college students of color for work-based learning experiences. Additionally, successful Training Providers should have experience designing and facilitating effective career readiness workshops that can support successful outcomes during the internship program and beyond. Through this RFP, REF will competitively select and fund up to two (2) qualified Proposers that can: A. Recruit four (4) to six (6) college students of color from March to June to participate in the summer 2024 (May 15 – August 31, 2024) Internship Program; B. Retain and track college students of color selected for summer 2024 (May 17 – August 31, 2024, Internship Program (the “Participants”); C. Provide monthly career readiness workshops for Participants from May - August 2024 for a total of at least three; and D. Track Participants through the Internship Program completion, throughout their studies, and one (1) year post-graduation.
