Fervo Energy Southwest Utah Geothermal Apprenticeship Program

Program Description: 

Southern Utah University, Elemental Impact, and Fervo Energy partnered to launch the first-ever apprenticeship program in geothermal energy. The goal is to help Southwest Utah residents currently working in oil and gas jobs pivot to climate-friendly careers in geothermal energy that utilize many of the same skills. 

Apprentices will learn geothermal directional drilling and well completions. They participate in on-the-job training while receiving related instruction and college credit in geology and energy systems at Southern Utah University. This allows both college learners and working adults to participate in the apprenticeships. 
 
There is an immediate need for skilled workers in geothermal energy in Southwest Utah. By harnessing the existing talent pool in the oil and gas industries and recruiting new apprentices from beyond the industry, Fervo Energy hopes to develop a secure workforce pipeline and support job growth. 

Impact: 

In the first three months of the program, it had already enrolled 26 apprentices. By the end of 2024, the program enrolled 40 apprentices. Because this apprenticeship targets a specific growing industry in their area, apprentices will be able to fulfill workforce needs immediately upon graduation.  

Population Served: 

Workers already in the oil and gas industry and new learners looking for careers relevant to geology and green energy in Southwest Utah. 

Key Steps for Implementation: 

• Leadership of Fervo Energy, Southern Utah University, and Elemental Impact came together to identify a growing local workforce need, design an apprenticeship program, and provide the necessary financial investment 

• Initial funding for the apprenticeship program was allocated from the federal Inflation Reduction Act 

• Implemented in 2024 

Learn more here.  

Page last updated in August 2026