Energy Efficiency Services Sector: Workforce Size and Expectations for Growth

Energy Efficiency Services Sector: Workforce Education and Training Needs

“…For energy efficiency training, organizations had to offer explicit energy efficiency courses or programs in order to be included in this category. 14 We identified the population of program administrators, program implementation contractors, ESCOs, and building and construction trade and professional associations and union building and construction trade councils for the eleven states selected for the study (see Goldman et al 2010). We then attempted to complete calls with all program administrators, implementation contractors and building and construction trade councils as well as a sample of trade and professional associations.…”

“…Key segments of the energy efficiency services sector (EESS) have experienced significant growth during the past several years, and this growth is projected to continue and accelerate over the next decade. In a companion study (Goldman et al 2010), our research team estimated that the EESS will increase two-to four-fold by 2020, to 220,000 person-years of employment (PYE) 1 (low-growth scenario) or up to 380,000 PYE (high-growth scenario), which may represent as many as 1.3 million individuals. 2 In assessing energy efficiency workforce education and training needs, we focus on energyefficiency services-related jobs that are required to improve the efficiency of residential and nonresidential buildings.…”

“…Impact of public policy on the Energy Efficiency Services Sector (EESS) 8 This section summarizes and highlights key findings from the LBNL workforce study on EESS size and projections for growth (Goldman et al 2010) Figure 2 illustrates the market value chain for the EESS and includes specific occupations associated with each subsector: manufacturing and distribution; planning and project management; consulting and auditing; construction and installation; evaluation, monitoring and verification; and building and equipment operations and maintenance. Our estimate of the size of the future EESS workforce and the need for education and training focuses on energy efficiency services-related jobs that are required to improve the energy efficiency of residential and nonresidential buildings and industry.…”

“…We do not anticipate a significant net growth in manufacturing jobs because the increased demand for energyefficient products is likely to be offset by reduced demand for existing products and services (i.e., substitution effects). See Goldman et al (2010) for a detailed description of occupations in the EESS. 12 Program administrators manage and direct energy efficiency programs; implementation contractors are hired by program administrators to plan, design, implement and evaluate energy efficiency programs; technical support…”

“…The LBNL workforce size study estimated that the energy efficiency services sector accounted for about 114,000 person-years of employment (PYE) in 2008 (Goldman et al 2010). We also developed low-growth and high-growth estimates of future energy efficiency spending based on an analysis of state energy efficiency legislation, regulatory policy and market activity and the expectations of program administrators, program implementation contractors, and ESCOs that were interviewed as part of this study.…”