On August 27, 2024, Sustainable Pittsburgh hosted the Clean Energy Workforce Roundtable at the Community College of Allegheny County’s (CCAC) Center for Education, Innovation & Training (CEIT).
The event brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including employers, educators, training providers, and community organizations. Through a combination of presentations and collaborative discussions, the Roundtable focused on identifying and addressing the key challenges and opportunities in strengthening the region’s clean energy workforce ecosystem.
Debra Roach, Ph.D., Vice President for Workforce Development at CCAC, opened the event showcasing the existing workforce development programs at CCAC and celebrating the partnership between CCAC and Sustainable Pittsburgh. Joylette Portlock, Ph.D., Executive Director of Sustainable Pittsburgh, then set the stage for the day, introducing the goals of the roundtable and encouraging participants to engage in discussions that would surface and elevate relevant topics for the region’s clean energy workforce. Participants then engaged in a networking session designed to identify and discuss pressing challenges within the clean energy workforce ecosystem.
Overview of the Learnings Report
The presentation moved into an overview from Dr. Portlock on Sustainable Pittsburgh’s forthcoming SWPA Clean Energy Workforce Learnings Report. This report compiles insights and recommendations gathered from the Roundtable’s work since 2021 and aims to guide stakeholders in overcoming workforce development barriers. The report identifies key regional needs, including expanding training opportunities, addressing employment barriers, improving job visibility, and enhancing ecosystem connectivity. It also sheds light on the demographic challenges within Pennsylvania’s clean energy workforce, such as the aging workforce and the need for greater diversity. Tactical examples, like career maps and centralized resources, are proposed to help overcome these challenges.
This report is designed to guide stakeholders in strengthening the clean energy workforce ecosystem in Southwestern Pennsylvania. A comprehensive, full report will be available within the next month, offering in-depth recommendations and strategies for building a resilient and inclusive workforce in the region. Stay tuned for its release, which will provide further details and actionable insights.
Presentation from the DEP
Joyce Turkaly, Energy Programs Specialist at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) Energy Programs Office (EPO), presented an overview of the state’s clean energy initiatives. She outlined the EPO’s mission to support energy policies that prevent pollution, protect the environment, and ensure access to affordable energy options while promoting economic growth. The presentation highlighted key programs such as the Building Energy Codes initiative, Shared Energy Manager for Local Governments, and the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority’s (PEDA) Energy Accelerator Program, which provides financing for clean energy projects across the state.
Turkaly emphasized the importance of these initiatives in building a skilled and resilient clean energy workforce in Pennsylvania. Her presentation showcased the DEP’s ongoing efforts to support local governments, businesses, and workers in navigating the evolving clean energy landscape. The detailed insights into the DEP’s programs offer a glimpse into the strategic direction Pennsylvania is taking to bolster its clean energy sector and workforce.
Presentation from Landforce
Kayleigh Del Cotto, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Landforce, provided insightful updates on their workforce development program, which combines environmental work with transitional employment. Their initiatives focus on offering jobs and training in environmental fields to individuals who face barriers to securing stable, family-sustaining employment, such as those who have been previously incarcerated. She highlighted Landforce’s comprehensive 8-week training program followed by 9-12 months of paid transitional employment, with an impressive track record of 90% of participants securing long-term employment.
Del Cotto also discussed Landforce’s expansion into wood reuse, made possible by the recent $13.9 million grant the organization received, with plans to establish a sawmill and biochar campus, contributing to the circular economy and creating additional career opportunities. This expansion is set to double the number of people Landforce can support, offering year-round employment and further integrating environmental remediation efforts. Ed Johnson, Landforce’s Director of Wood Reuse, noted they are currently seeking a site for the sawmill.
Del Cotto’s presentation underscored Landforce’s commitment to creating pathways for underserved individuals to thrive in the clean energy sector, while also seeking collaboration and support from the broader community to further these initiatives.
Open Space Activity
Some Roundtable members had previously expressed interest in participating in regular discussions with certain Roundtable participants focused on a specific topic relevant to their expertise. This idea led Sustainable Pittsburgh to organize an engaging Open Space activity, where participants were invited to propose and discuss various topics related to clean energy workforce development. This interactive session allowed attendees to self-organize into groups and delve into critical issues which could enable the creation of committees. The following key topics were collectively identified and explored during the discussions:
- Connecting Organizations to the Workforce Ecosystem: How to enable a central hub for information-sharing and improve connectivity among workforce development stakeholders.
- Addressing Gaps in Training Programs: Identifying the types of training needed for contractors and workers, and exploring ways to standardize and expand these programs.
- Engaging Contractors in Workforce Development: Discussing how to incentivize contractors to participate in workforce programs and adopt sustainable practices.
- Overcoming Barriers to Funding for Training: Exploring the challenges small and medium-sized employers face in accessing training funds and identifying potential solutions.
- Centering Resources on Workers: Strategies for raising awareness among workers, improving workplace culture, and ensuring training programs align with workers’ needs.
- Coordinating Workforce Training Programs: Enhancing collaboration among existing training programs to ensure they are effectively meeting the needs of the clean energy workforce.
During this time, participants created action plans aimed at addressing these themes including the need for financial incentives for small contractors to engage in sustainable practices, along with the importance of tailoring training programs to diverse worker needs. Addressing systemic barriers like transportation and access to technology was highlighted as crucial for ensuring equitable access to job opportunities. The activity also underscored the importance of collaboration across sectors, with participants advocating for stronger partnerships between educational institutions, community-based organizations, and employers to create a more integrated and effective workforce development ecosystem.
Following the meeting, Michael Rinsem, Endowed Professor of Technical Curriculum at CCAC, led a tour of the Center for Education, Innovation & Training (CEIT). Attendees had the opportunity to explore the state-of-the-art laboratories and specialized facilities that support the high-demand programs and emerging fields available at the center, such as Cybersecurity Support, Software Development, and Mechatronics. The tour highlighted essential equipment that provides students with job-ready training, including 3D printing, computer numerical control (CNC) machining, machine learning, and robotics and automation.
Conclusion
This event emphasized the need for strategic actions to expand training programs, enhance workforce diversity, and strengthen connections across the clean energy ecosystem. Key insights from the Clean Energy Workforce Learnings Report and contributions from the DEP and Landforce provided valuable guidance for overcoming barriers and fostering collaboration. The Open Space activity demonstrated the collective drive to find practical solutions that will support a resilient and inclusive workforce while assisting Roundtable participants in identifying like-minded professionals to dig deeper into specific topics that could lead to committees forming. As the region continues to build on these discussions, the strategies and commitments forged during this roundtable will be instrumental in advancing Southwestern Pennsylvania’s leadership in the clean energy sector.