Infrastructure Policy and Programs: Workforce Development | Article

Infrastructure projects are a means to both improve the physical assets of a community and provide employment opportunities, a major focus for the Biden-Harris Administration as policymakers strive to boost economic recovery in the wake of COVID-19 shutdowns.

The Administration’s American Jobs Plan lays out $2 trillion in investments in both infrastructure and workforce training, with an emphasis on developing projects and jobs that mitigate climate change.

Many programs are training workers for careers in clean energy, conservation, and other sustainability-oriented fields, and there are multiple opportunities for more such initiatives. Programs such as conservation corps and high school and community college career and technical trainings offer options for young people to build an early foundation in green job skills. Support for green technology innovation and deployment can grow American manufacturing and domestic expertise in high-tech industries. But, as the nation moves away from coal, oil, and natural gas, providing fossil fuel workers with adequate alternative employment options remains a major challenge.

The following are EESI’s recent resources on low-carbon workforce development:

Issue Briefs:

Conservation Corps: Pairing Climate Action with Economic Opportunity

Conservation corps are work programs that employ youths, veterans, seniors, and others in conservation, resilience, and sustainability efforts throughout the United States. This issue brief examines the history of conservation corps in America, how these corps can help address the climate crisis, how they are currently funded, and recent legislation that expands their impact.

How Coal Country Can Adapt to the Energy Transition

With the United States transitioning away from coal energy, this issue brief surveys federal and regional policies, programs, and proposals intended to provide new workforce development opportunities for coal-dependent communities.

Briefings:

Energy Efficiency Means Business

Experts discussed how federal energy efficiency programs create jobs and deliver direct meaningful savings to homeowners, consumers, and businesses—all while reducing the stresses and strains on our energy system.

Low-Carbon Small Business and Post-COVID Recovery

Speakers discussed the persistent challenges faced by small businesses in low-carbon sectors and the additional problems brought on by COVID-19. Speakers also emphasized policies that will enable their companies to continue to grow a workforce centered on climate solutions.

Growing Green Industry and Innovation: Mass Timber

Panelists discussed the environmental and workforce benefits of mass timber, manufactured wood products (such as cross-laminated timber) that can replace concrete and steel in building construction.

Energy Transitions in Coal Country

Speakers discussed the broad challenges facing coal country in the Western United States, along with examples of how some communities are overcoming these challenges.

A New Spin on Conservation Corps

Speakers showcased a variety of conservation corps engaging communities in tribes, urban areas, and Appalachia, and the policies that help them thrive.

Preparing High Schoolers for Green Careers

Spiraling student-loan debt and low rates of college completion have encouraged a resurgence in career and technical education in public schools. Panelists discussed the benefits of offering students these training options and the policies and programs that help such programs flourish.

Training a 21st Century Clean Energy Workforce

Keeping a workforce trained and familiar with the latest techniques and technologies is critical for the United States to retain its edge as a global leader in clean energy, and to do its part as it works with its neighbors to ensure a sustainable and prosperous North American continent.

Articles:

NASA Workforce Development Program Takes Students to New Heights

NASA DEVELOP is a workforce development program that trains participants—typically college students or recent graduates—in remote sensing imagery analysis, equipping them with skills in environmental observation and planning.

Colorado Utility Works to Build Workforce and Green Its Community

The Epic Homes Program under Fort Collins Utilities in Colorado helps customers install energy efficiency upgrades and provides high-quality jobs for contractors.

How the Maryland Climate Academy Creates Climate-Savvy Professionals

The Maryland Climate Academy educates executives, including local government officials, on the effects of climate change in an effort to increase “climate-smart” planning.

Building a Diverse, Equitable, and Inclusive Renewable Energy Workforce

During the 2021 American Council on Renewable Energy Policy Forum, speakers discussed how the renewable energy industry can become more inclusive and equitable for professionals of color from entry to executive level.

Coal Community Investment Bill Seeks to Drive a Just Transition to Clean Energy

In March 2021, Senators Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) introduced the American Jobs in Energy Manufacturing Act of 2021 (S.622), which would provide $8 billion in tax credits to spur domestic clean energy manufacturing while supporting targeted job creation in rural communities affected by the transition away from fossil fuels.

Federal Programs Support Diverse Environmental Workforce Opportunities for Veterans

Numerous federal programs offer opportunities in land management, agriculture, and conservation for veterans, helping to transition them to civilian careers while addressing the need for skilled workers in the natural resource field.

Iowa Programs Offer Renewable Energy Opportunities to Veterans

The state of Iowa is seeking to attract veterans to match their skills with positions in Iowa’s growing renewable energy economy.

City, State, and Community College Work Together to Build Sustainable Construction Workforce

Various city and state initiatives help train the next generation of energy efficient construction workers in Waterloo, Iowa, through Hawkeye Community College’s Sustainable Construction and Design program.

Mississippi Aquaculture Program Highlights Importance of Technical Education in High Schools

Ocean Springs High School’s aquaculture program is part of its Career and Technical Education center, which seeks to connect students with a hands-on education in high school.

Solar Ready Vets Network Prepares Veterans for Solar Industry Career

The Solar Ready Vets Network pairs skilled, mid- to senior-level veterans with jobs, training, and career development opportunities in the solar field through a 12-week fellowship.

A Path Towards Low-Carbon Workforce Development

Key Takeaways from EESI’s Workforce Wednesdays Briefing Series

The Workforce Wednesdays briefing series featured 17 experts and practitioners from around the country, along with two members of Congress, to discuss policies and programs working to develop a low-carbon workforce. Topic areas included high school career and technical education, conservation corps, energy transitions in coal country, industry and innovation, and small businesses.

House Energy and Commerce Committee Explores Potential for Clean, Green Recovery

A September 2020 hearing covered by EESI considered prospects for green investments designed to spur an economic recovery as the country emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Wind at Their Backs: Program Teaches Kids about Clean Energy Opportunities

KidWind’s goal is to help students learn about clean energy and the different career options the field offers through its three pillars of action: K-12 teacher training, curriculum development, and KidWind Challenges (during which teams of students design, construct, and test small-scale wind turbines and solar structures).

A Proposal for a “Marshall Plan” to Ease Energy Transition for Coal-Dependent Communities

In July 2020, Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) introduced the Marshall Plan for Coal Country Act (S.4306) to address the needs of coal communities as the nation transitions to a cleaner energy system.

Workforce Recommendations in the Climate Crisis Report

In June 2020, the majority staff of the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis released its report, Solving the Climate Crisis, to implement its Climate Action Plan. The report includes a number of recommendations for transforming and mobilizing the nation’s workforce for a decarbonized future.

Solar for All Demonstrates the Importance of Equity in Clean Energy

With its first-of-its-kind program, Solar for All, the District of Columbia set an example for the rest of the nation proving equity and clean energy can—and must—go hand in hand.

Solar-Powered Learning: Dominion Energy Supports K-12 Clean Energy Curriculum

Since 2015, Dominion Energy has collaborated with the National Energy Education Development Project to bring solar energy arrays and renewable energy lesson plans to 34 educational institutions across Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina through the Solar for Students program.

Author: Amber Todoroff