Is 2018 the Year of Renewable Energy Jobs?

Last Thursday's panel discussion on The Future of the Renewable Energy Jobs Market was held at Columbia University's-School of International and Public Affairs.  It is part of the Center for Global Policy's ongoing series on "Women In Energy". So I make my way there to hear the perspectives of four industry experts, in particular the outlook on the wind energy  market.

Panelist at Cener for Global Energy Policy

The wind industry has now topped 100,000 jobs says the Department of Energy. As per the 2017 U.S Energy and Employment report, there was a 25% increase in solar workforce employment in 2016, while wind employment increased by 32%. It is projected to grow to 380.000 by 2030. With the recent news earlier this month that wind power production capacity surpassed hydropower dams to become the largest source of renewable electric capacity in the U.S, the wind energy job market is more attractive.

Adding to the panel discussion, is the audiences  worry that the Trump Administration might not support renewable energy initiatives. More directly,  what if his administration supports an  acceleration of the 2019 scheduled phase-out of the production tax credit? This tax credit has supported the development of wind business for a number of years. I believe that since congress actually have the power of making legislation and Republicans control the house and senate, they are not about to relegate the job producing wind industry to the ash-heap. Fortunately, they do not view wind through the lens of a red or blue industry. According to Tom Kieman, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association:  “Low-cost, homegrown wind energy is something we can all agree on. States like Texas and Iowa are leading the way in terms of wind turbines and wind jobs.” 

Elle Carberry, Advisory Council Member of Greentech Capital Advisors, gave the best advice for women who want to maximize their entry into the wind industry as a whole.  She encouraged the women in the audience to take four steps in preparing and working in the renewable energy careers. Those are to:

1. Set a vision for themselves. Don't wait for the perfect female role model to show up for you 
2. Get to know the industry career tracks and design an ideal path, while giving some space for opportunities that you might have not thought of
3. Focus on developing your skills
4. Build relationships with potential Sponsors at each company you work. A sponsor will pound the table for you, as you are not in the room (new projects, raises/bonuses and promotions) where decisions are made

Jobs seekers, get ready! Because the panelists' perspective is just not about projecting a positive outlook. There are projects (construction, manufacturing, operations/maintenance, commissioning) coming on-line and 2018 will be year of wind energy jobs.

www.energypolicy.columbia.edu