Energy-efficient buildings are a key part of the fight against climate change, but what if there aren't enough trained tradespeople to support the transition? That's where SkillSeek comes in, a venture in the 2025-26 Harvard Climate Circle that is redefining climate-aligned workforce development.
SkillSeek is tackling one of the region’s most pressing challenges: the shortage of trained HVAC technicians needed to support the transition to energy-efficient buildings. After launching a pilot program in fall 2024, the venture graduated its first cohort with an 82% completion rate, a 90% job match rate, and a 100% Net Promoter Score—early evidence that their learner-centered, employer-driven training model works.
In a recent conversation with the Harvard Innovation Labs, SkillSeek CEO and Founder Priya Malhotra (HGSE '22) shares how they measure impact; what strong learner outcomes look like; and how collaboration with employers, community colleges, nonprofits, and local governments is helping them scale a workforce model that meets both climate goals and community needs.
What inspired you to start your venture?
Some of my most vivid childhood memories are in warehouses, watching my parents tirelessly pack boxes and ship orders to keep our small family business afloat. They came to the U.S. in the pursuit of better education and career opportunities, but as new immigrants, they ran into many challenges. Eventually, they put their own dreams aside to protect their kids’ dreams.
I’ve spent the last decade working to make learning more accessible for more people. Along the way, I realized that people like my parents—hardworking, skilled, and ready to learn—are too often left behind. In the age of technology, it’s easy to forget about the hands-on work that goes into building our communities. But that work matters, and making sure it’s done sustainably is critical in the fight against climate change.
Skilled tradespeople are on the frontlines of that fight. My mission is to center people in our conversations on climate, and empower the next generation to lead us into a greener future.
What impact are you hoping to achieve?
Today, more than 80% of HVAC positions are filled through personal connections and networks, creating difficult barriers to entry for those outside established circles. Our program recruits and prepares individuals who are eager to learn, regardless of background or connections. We’ve designed a high-quality curriculum that makes academic content digestible and emphasizes applied, on-the-job skills taught by real technicians. The program is also flexible, built to accommodate the schedules of today’s adult learners.
When students graduate, they leave with an understanding not only of the mechanics, but also of the meaning behind the work they do every day. Our goal is to help people from all backgrounds access good, green jobs that create real opportunities for advancement, leadership, and ownership. By doing so, we will help close the workforce gap in climate-critical industries today.
What’s the hardest part about building?
We are designing a new way to do trade education! We have seen accelerators and bootcamps gain traction in traditionally academic fields, but introducing a new category into trade education requires that we strive for the highest quality educational content and continuous improvement. We are also still very small so continuing to manage a small business is a different journey every single day—managing lots of ups and downs as we continue to scale. Despite the hard part, every day is different and I am enjoying being in this stage of growth.
Have you always been involved in climate?
I had a completely different perception of what climate work was just a few years ago. I had no idea that most green jobs are manufacturing jobs. After learning how important this work is to creating a green economy and that we simply don’t have enough people to do this work, I recognized a clear opportunity. These jobs present pathways to meaningful and prosperous careers for people, and I want to help open that door for more people. This is a clear win-win-win for people, our economy, and our environment.
What has been the most unexpected moment you've had building your venture?
I have been so excited to see how many people are interested and committed to doing this kind of work. Building SkillSeek would not have been possible without the help of technicians who are experts in the work that they do and have a genuine desire to pass on their knowledge to future generations. Our instructors are constantly finding new ways to make learning engaging, fun, and creative. Moreover, I have been thrilled to see how many people are eager to join the trade. We have had students from every neighborhood in the metro Boston area—everyone from fresh high school graduates to seasoned corporate professionals—join our program and enter the industry. Building upon this kind of community, and especially being welcomed into it, has made this work possible.
What’s been one of the coolest moments?
The coolest moments, by far, have been watching our students start and build careers in the HVAC industry after completing our flagship course. The students that learn these skills love what they do, and building a career in an industry with opportunities for real economic mobility is life-changing for them and their families. Being a small part of that journey has been incredible. We spend a lot of time in our course talking about not only what it means to be a technician, but a good technician that cares about the impact of this work on people’s lives and our environment. Knowing that they are continuing this work with a sense of purpose and pride is core to our mission.
Any lessons learned?
My biggest lesson would be that if you have an idea that you believe in, go for it! One of the most difficult parts of starting a venture is just believing in yourself and taking the first steps to make it happen. I would have never imagined a few years ago that I would be working in the trades or climate, but I am so grateful to have taken that first step. This journey has been so rewarding and I couldn’t imagine doing anything else right now.
