Background
Since 2021, Sustainable Pittsburgh has convened cross-sector stakeholders involved in the region’s clean energy workforce development ecosystem. Dubbed the Clean Energy Workforce Roundtable, the convenings: enable networked support that aligns with regional needs and foster collective action to help communities prepare for the anticipated increase in demand for clean energy workers and investments. The steadfast goal of the Roundtable has been to promote connectivity of the regional clean energy workforce ecosystem, thus enabling information-sharing about current initiatives taking place in the region’s clean energy industry, identification of needs, and promotion of collaborative next steps for priority issues in clean energy workforce development in southwestern Pennsylvania. The following is a brief recap of the most recent Roundtable convening, which took place on October 31, 2024 at CoLab 18.
Welcome and Introductions
The meeting began with Joylette Portlock, Ph.D., Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh introducing John Ukenye (Senior Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives for Sustainable Pittsburgh) and Coleman Rogers (DOE RAMP Fellow). Portlock highlighted the Roundtable Resources Hub, a collaborative platform where participants can access resources like the newly published report on clean energy workforce needs and opportunities for southwestern PA, and contribute materials of their own. She also introduced the concept of a Clean Energy Career Map for the region, created in partnership with Julius Education.
Julius Education Presentation and Career Mapping Workshop
Julius Education Vice Presidents Greg Blair and Shakir Cannon-Moye, along with Senior Industry SME Joe Sarubbi, led a presentation on their career mapping tools. They discussed how these maps can help demystify clean energy careers and illustrate pathways for advancement, with the goal of converting interest into action in a field where many are eager but uncertain of where to start. Julius demonstrated a map they developed for the D.C. area, specific to green building careers, showcasing pathways from entry-level to senior roles, reinforcing the idea that “you can’t be what you can’t see.”
After the presentation, participants divided into three groups to review two draft career maps Julius created for clean energy jobs in southwestern Pennsylvania. Using industry-specific labor market intelligence, one map focused on jobs in advanced manufacturing; the other on the construction/electrical sector. Participants worked to identify critical or emerging roles that were not currently represented on the maps, roles that may no longer be relevant or could be consolidated, and training programs in the region that align with the roles.
Participants recommended incorporating practical features, such as lifestyle considerations, transportation requirements, potential barriers like criminal record restrictions, and options for remote work. Sustainable Pittsburgh is working with Julius Education on further iterations of the maps with drafts nearing completion by the end of February.
Open Space Activity
Meeting participants identified four key topics for in-depth discussion:
1. Funding for Training
This group’s discussion focused on enhancing funding accessibility and regional collaboration to better support clean energy workforce development. Participants highlighted the potential of the Inflation Reduction Act’s direct pay provisions for nonprofits, encouraging municipalities and training providers to leverage these resources. To improve funding access and connections, the group suggested creating a matchmaking or mentoring platform to link companies with project financing and educational support.
Recommendations also included establishing a central information and contact hub to streamline resources and facilitate communication among stakeholders, particularly in rural areas. The group proposed forming subcommittees to focus on specific goals like improved communication, expanded funding access, and stronger partnerships. They emphasized the importance of assessing the work of existing organizations, such as Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, to build on current efforts and connect with established networks.
2. Transportation for Work-Based Learning
The Transportation group highlighted significant workforce development challenges due to limited public transportation options, impacting both trainers and employers. Existing support programs, such as the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission’s van/carpool initiative and Partner4Work’s bus pass subsidies, provide some assistance but fall short of addressing the full scope of needs. Participants agreed that a more comprehensive, employer-driven solution would be ideal.
The group identified the Pittsburgh Airport’s PIT2Work model as an example of best practices, which offers a variety of support services, including accessible shuttle service to and from the airport. Over the course of a five-week training program, participants also receive training, one-on-one mentoring, hands-on construction experience, a daily stipend, trade certifications, an invitation to a career fair, and connections to local trade unions with open positions. This model could serve as inspiration for addressing transportation and workforce challenges more effectively.
Participants pointed out that specific sectors, like residential construction, face unique challenges due to the mobile nature of their work, requiring travel between multiple job sites. To address these needs more comprehensively, the group recommended an employer-driven, human-centered design session to assess transportation challenges accurately.
3. Creating Multi-County Connections:
The multi-county discussion focused on bridging resources and collaboration across counties beyond Allegheny to strengthen the regional workforce ecosystem. Participants highlighted the value of connecting counties to share resources, expand the labor pool, and reduce duplicated efforts. Attendees discussed engaging counties on the border of Allegheny as a starting point, which could serve as a pilot for broader regional cooperation.
Suggestions included rotating roundtable events among different counties to encourage diverse participation and make resources accessible to a wider audience. Another idea was to co-host events with workforce development boards from neighboring counties to foster greater interaction and encourage local employers to participate. Meeting employers where they are, both geographically and in terms of readiness, was seen as a key strategy to ensure practical engagement across county lines.
4. Promotion and Recruitment in Clean Energy
The discussion on promotion and recruitment in clean energy highlighted the importance of tailoring messaging to diverse audiences, particularly younger groups. For students and younger audiences, there was a focus on “making clean energy jobs cool” to build interest early on. Participants suggested creating career exploration events targeted at middle and high school students as a precursor to traditional job fairs, emphasizing interactive ways to engage future job seekers. Ideas included rebranding “clean energy jobs” to appeal to broader audiences and exploring initiatives from other cities as models for effective promotion.
To improve employer-job seeker connections, one participant shared an experience with “speed dating” between employers and job candidates, a format that could be replicated in clean energy recruitment. Participants also discussed the need to attract more trainers, recommending that training roles be highlighted within the career map. Additionally, Partner4Work’s efforts in this space, including their Career Ready Allegheny initiative, were noted as valuable resources for career readiness in the region.
Lightning Updates
The event wrapped up with quick updates from participants on their current initiatives. Highlights included:
- Ribbon cutting ceremony for the EV Apprenticeship Program funded by Dept. of Labor and developed by Partner4Work, Community College of Allegheny County, and the German-American Chamber of Commerce.
- Trade Institute of Pittsburgh’s vehicle access program for graduates, helping them secure personal transportation through initial free rentals and eventually transitioning to ownership.
Looking Ahead
Sustainable Pittsburgh closed by emphasizing the ongoing commitment to ecosystem connectivity within the clean energy workforce. Roundtable members are encouraged to reach out to Coleman Rogers at coleman.rogers@hq.doe.gov or John Ukenye at jukenye@sustainablepittsburgh.org to introduce themselves. The next Clean Energy Workforce Development Roundtable is scheduled for February 27, 2025 (more details TBA).