Boots on the Ground: Lessons Learned From Early Approaches to Green Workforce Training and Field Placements

Over the last two years, the Strategic Energy Innovations has partnered with colleges, public agencies and utilities to design and pilot two distinct green workforce programs in the San Francisco Bay Area. The first program trained incumbent workers to assess building energy consumption and ultimately, to learn how to install solar panels atop efficient buildings. The second program served low-income, “at risk” older youth, providing soft skills orientation, as well as technical training for careers in energy efficiency. Youth were paired with area utility contractors to perform residential retrofits for six weeks. Understanding the challenges, barriers, and successes of these pilots will provide important information and best practices for ongoing green workforce development efforts. This session will explore the lessons-learned from green workforce education and training approaches that engaged individuals from diverse cultural, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds. Specifically, the authors will address the delicate balance of training “at risk” individuals in both soft and hard skill development. The authors will present findings (qualitative and quantitative) from early models implemented in the last two years, spotlighting efforts throughout the country; including the challenges encountered and specific modifications that they recommend for improving these approaches. The authors draw from research in the field to build a case for best practices in green workforce training.