Supporting and Promoting the Clean Energy Sector in Massachusetts

Clean Energy Industry Economic and Workforce Development Leadership Summits 3 summits (Lowell, New Bedford, Amherst) Over 350 hundred participants Clean energy industry business representatives, government officials, and education and training leaders

Clean Energy Industry Economic and Workforce Development Leadership Summits Key Questions What does the sector need to grow & flourish? How can we grow a strong clean energy industry in MA? How can we assure a talented workforce to support a strong clean energy industry in MA?

Key ingredients to good leadership in the clean energy sector are: 1.Brilliant minds 2.Financial backing 3.Leadership 4.Policy making so that markets can be created --Patrick Clooney, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center

Needs of the Clean Energy Sector Issues can be challenging and vary across sectors within the clean energy industry Innovation and start ups What creates jobs? Innovation to create scale and sustainability. Encourage innovation which will create technology. --Lowell Summit Participant

Demand Many different skills, expertise, and levels of education “Green jobs” are not a cure-all. They are not sustainable if the demand is not present. --Amherst Summit Participant

Getting into the clean energy industry can be difficult Urban youth and low-income communities are not deficient in anything except opportunity. --Lowell Summit Panelist

Awareness and marketing Consistent, understandable incentives Emphasis on K-12 science, technology, engineering and math A green job doesn’t necessarily mean you are on a roof. Green jobs can mean HR, marketing, finance, software...There is a breadth of careers in this sector…and it is a career, not just a job. --Lowell Summit Panelist

Recurring Themes in the Summits 1.Growing the demand will increase business and associated jobs. 2.Policy and vision will support the industry to eventually “wean” itself from government support. 3.Education will support the innovation that turns knowledge into technology and job creation.

4. Training and Workforce Development is needed to support the industry 5. Research and Development support, including “open laboratories and industry incubators at colleges and universities 6. Innovation as Massachusetts’ competitive advantage

7.Social Justice so that as many people as possible benefit from training, educational and job opportunities 8.Creative financing mechanisms

Selected Suggestions 1.Aggressively implement state’s existing and proposed energy and climate initiatives 2.Speed up implementation of MassSAVE energy efficiency programs 3.Reduce barriers to site of renewable energy projects 4.Create more “real world” education through internships, fellowships, apprenticeships

Selected Suggestions, continued 5. Find a compromise for organized labor and licensed electricians while offering solar installation jobs to more people 6. Increase participation in “STEM” education at all levels 7. Expand funding and support for energy research and education programs at UMass campus system 8. Increase public awareness of energy in order to increase demand

Selected Conclusions 1.MA has a highly educated workforce and strong educational system—concerns about STEM learning at all levels. 2.Employers and educators should work closely together so that graduates have skills, knowledge and OJT needed 3.Large percentage of clean industry jobs are “green” versions of traditional vocations/professions.

Selected Conclusions, continued 4.The # of “green jobs” cannot meet everyone’s expectations 5.There is no guarantee that the clean energy industry will be attentive to the needs of low- income, lower-skilled workers and communities of color. This will take conscious intention and collaborative action.