On April 30, Sustainable Pittsburgh convened its latest Clean Energy Workforce Roundtable, bringing together employers, educators, workforce partners, and public sector leaders to discuss clean energy workforce development.
The session featured a panel discussion moderated by John Ukenye, senior director of policy and strategic initiatives, with:
- Joshua Devine, The Pittsburgh Foundation
- Dana Levine Kunzman, CAEL
- Dr. Liz Vitullo, RETI
Each panelist brought a different perspective to the conversation. The Pittsburgh Foundation is focused on regional investment and expanding access to family-sustaining careers. RETI Consortium is leading a multi-state effort to position the region as a hub for energy innovation, with workforce development as a core component. CAEL works nationally to connect education and workforce systems, helping translate learning into employment outcomes and supporting more flexible, skills-based pathways.
Together, these perspectives helped ground the discussion in both strategy and what it takes to implement that work across the region.
Workforce Development in Practice
The panel explored how different parts of the workforce ecosystem are tackling development of the growing clean energy economy and where there are opportunities to better connect efforts across sectors.
A few themes came up consistently. Participants discussed the need for stronger alignment between training programs and employer demand, and the importance of designing programs in partnership with employers. There was also discussion around how higher education and workforce systems can work more closely together, including recognizing prior learning and creating more flexible pathways for individuals entering or transitioning within the workforce.
Access and wraparound services were another focus. Expanding pathways into clean energy careers requires attention to barriers such as childcare, transportation, and awareness of available opportunities. Participants also noted the importance of outreach and engagement, particularly for individuals who may not be actively connected to workforce systems.
The audience discussion reinforced many of these points. Participants raised questions around how to better connect technical training with higher education, how to increase awareness of high-quality career opportunities, and how to improve navigation of existing resources. There was also interest in approaches like apprenticeships, reskilling for individuals already in the workforce, and the role of mentorship and wraparound services in supporting long-term success.
Allegheny County Climate Action Plan Update
The Roundtable also included an update from the Allegheny County Department of Sustainability on the development of the Climate Action Plan, which is being developed alongside the county’s Comprehensive Plan.
The plan is intended to guide how the county approaches emissions reduction, resilience, and economic development, with a focus on high-emitting sectors such as buildings and industry.
To date, the process has included engagement with more than 180 organizations and over 3,000 individuals, with additional opportunities for feedback expected this summer.
Future Energy Jobs Hub Update
Following the panel and presentation, John Ukenye shared an update on Sustainable Pittsburgh’s Future Energy Jobs Hub, connecting the discussion to ongoing work across the region.
Several of the topics raised during the panel connect directly to the Hub. This includes how to better motivate and connect young people to career opportunities, improve visibility into clean energy pathways, and create a more integrated system that brings together employers, training providers, and job seekers.
Over the past few months, Sustainable Pittsburgh has been engaging with K-12 partners to explore how the Hub can support early exposure and career navigation. There has also been a focus on building connections with veterans organizations, recognizing the opportunity to support individuals transitioning back into the workforce and into clean energy careers.
Looking Ahead
The Clean Energy Workforce Roundtable will continue to bring together partners working across the workforce ecosystem, with the next meeting scheduled for July 29.