Priority: Education + Workforce Development
The Solar Hive and their partners have been working with industry leaders, along with utilizing new technology to help mitigate the labor shortage in the future. President Joe Biden's climate agenda aims to create jobs in the clean energy sector, but construction and manufacturing companies, which are central to his climate agenda, are struggling to find enough people to fill the jobs due to the booming labor market. McKinsey & Co. predicts that by 2030, about 550,000 new energy transition jobs will become available, and only 10 percent may be filled by people leaving the oil and gas industry.
To address this issue, the climate law includes incentives, such as more lucrative tax credits for partnering with registered apprentice programs and broad funding for workforce development. Carbon management, an emerging climate technology, requires workers with skills similar to those employed by the oil and gas industry. However, the clean-tech industry needs to inform workers with comparable skills in other industries about the opportunities available in clean energy to avoid a labor crunch in the future.
To help address the shortage of workers in the clean energy sector, the industry needs to work closely with trade unions and state leaders to reorient apprenticeship and community college programs to prepare people for clean energy jobs. Additionally, the industry needs to raise awareness of the career opportunities available in the clean energy sector to attract workers with comparable skills from other industries.
In summary, the Solar Hive will continue to collaborate with industry leaders and new technology to mitigate the labor shortage in the clean energy sector. To ensure a skilled workforce, the industry needs to work with trade unions, state leaders, and other industries to reorient training programs and raise awareness of career opportunities in clean energy. With a strong workforce, the industry can create the clean energy solutions needed to fight climate change and achieve President Biden's climate agenda.
If you or your company are interested in joining forces with the HIVE TRIBE to help fast-track this much-needed solution, please click the button below so we can connect. Together we can BEE the CHANGE.
Mitch, you are so right about a lack of ready-now talent in solar. I'd love to see more emphasis on industry leaders and recruiters to help support grassroots efforts at the High School and Jr. College levels to encourage young people to join the solar energy industry. It is currently a 'who you know network.' If we want a more diverse talent pool, we must reach out and let them know what opportunities exist.
Mary Anne Polson, Chief Learning Officer
PPC (Polson Positive Consulting)