DEFINING THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK LABOR MARKET NEEDS FOR THE RENEWABLE ENERGY INDUSTRIES

摘要

The framework for creating a strong workforce for the renewable energy industries is built on a multi-prong approach that connects labor market needs, occupational and training standards, educational providers, and third-party programs that verify competencies. Gathering labor market information is the starting point for developing a workforce development strategy. Labor market studies focus on what kind of jobs are in the renewable energy industries, where these jobs are, and what are the trends. Once occupational profiles are defined, then setting competency standards becomes a foundational element for workforce development. Formal processes determine what people do for specific jobs, under what working conditions they do it, what they must know to do it, and the skills they must have to do it. Quality training for the workforce is a critical component to support labor market needs. Providers for training and education fall into 4 different categories: providers of short courses and workshops; community colleges and vocational institutions; apprenticeship programs; and 4-year colleges and universities. The final component in this framework is developing third-party verification of workers and instructional activities. This has become the era of accountability. Self declaration of competency is no longer enough validation for consumers, financers, policy makers and others to have confidence in services or products. In the renewable energy field, certification programs have been developed for practitioners and instructors and an accreditation process is in place for training programs. This paper looks at these four major elements of building a framework for workforce development, describes the activities underway, identifies gaps and opportunities, and proposes next steps.