The Department of Labor & Industry announced a new grant program designed to boost Pennsylvania’s competitive edge in the clean-energy sector by promoting workforce development and overall industry recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. L&I is inviting local workforce development boards to submit project proposals that would support at least 25 local or regional clean-energy businesses.
Five Clean Energy Workforce Development Grants of up to $500,000 each are available, for a total of $2.5 million committed statewide. Proposals are due to the department March 14. The workforce development projects will kick off in July and continue through June 2025.
“This investment in the clean-energy sector’s workforce is an investment in the future of Pennsylvania. While its recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic is well under way, this is an industry that the Wolf Administration wants to see thrive over the next decade. We need to be developing a talent pipeline now to make that vision a reality,” said Secretary Jennifer Berrier.
A 2021 report from the Department of Environmental Protection found that Pennsylvania lost 13,200 clean-energy jobs between March and December 2020 due to the COVID-19 economic fallout – a 14 percent decline compared to 2019.
Today, with the industry recovering, employers indicate a need for more skilled workers within the clean-energy sector. In fact, before the pandemic, eight in 10 clean-energy employers in Pennsylvania reported difficulty finding qualified applicants at the end of 2019, citing lack of experience and industry-specific knowledge
Going forward, Pennsylvania’s clean-energy sector will require greater numbers of skilled fabricators, assemblers and other manufacturing workers. Throughout the commonwealth, a growing demand for clean-energy generation and energy efficiency will dictate a need for construction and installation workers such as HVAC mechanics, electricians and solar photovoltaic installers.
The DEP report indicated clean-energy workers are more likely to receive healthcare and retirement benefits compared to national private-sector averages and are very satisfied with their careers and opportunities for advancement. With often lower formal educational requirements than a four-year degree, the clean-energy industry is largely accessible to job seekers with minimal up-front training.
The clean energy industry includes the technology sectors of energy efficiency, clean energy generation, alternative transportation, clean grid and storage and clean fuels. Clean energy sub-sectors include solar, wind, efficient lighting, hydropower, smart grid, electric vehicles and biomass fuels.
