UNF joins forces with WareWorks for skilled trade workforce development

The University of North Florida has partnered with WareWorks to help expand its reach in preparing students for careers through targeted skills development.

UNF offers traditional degrees and specialized programs to help advance workforce development, including UNF's Educational Microgrid for Enhancing Renewable Growth and Education (EMERGE) program in partnership with JEA, the city's public utility, and Miller Electric to help prepare future leaders and professionals in the clean energy sector.

In Spring 2025, Chris Ware, owner of WareWorks, made a principal gift to the UNF JEA Sustainable Solutions Lab, which helped support the EMERGE program. In Winter 2025, Ware purchased a sustainable and energy efficient building near UNF's campus that is now the home of WareWorks as well as the EMERGE program.

WareWorks Skilled Trade Institute is a Jacksonville-based nonprofit dedicated to strengthening the skilled trades ecosystem by connecting high school students with meaningful pathways to rewarding careers. By connecting education, industry and workforce partners, the organization is expanding awareness of high-demand careers and helping build the next generation of skilled trades professionals in Northeast Florida.

UNF is improving solar energy storage on the WareWorks building and developing a solar panel test bed on the rooftop that will allow for research and give local manufactures and companies the opportunity for product testing.

The two-year EMERGE program offers education, professional growth opportunities and internships to early-career electricians and high school students between the ages of 16 and 25. Students learn from UNF faculty and industry professionals in the community through lectures, demonstrations and working as a team to build a small micro-grid. Participants earn a certificate from UNF to validate their expertise and help increase their employability.

The first year of the program trained early-career electricians and interns from both JEA and Miller Electric last summer. This summer, high school students from St. Johns County are completing the program.

UNF's EMERGE program is led by Dr. Jim Fletcher, associate professor of mechanical engineering, and Dr. Sumit Raj, postdoctoral associate.

Partnerships with companies like WareWorks highlight the power of collaboration and innovation in addressing critical workforce needs and advancing the renewable energy sector.

The research reported in this story was supported by the Gulf Research Program of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine under award number SCON-10001360.