How to land one of the millions of new clean energy jobs
Degrees: Real talk about planet-saving careers
Clean Energy Jobs and Career Opportunities
This chapter discusses the abundance of clean energy jobs and career opportunities, from solar panels to carbon capture and battery manufacturing. It highlights training and education pathways, including apprenticeship programs and government internships. The chapter also explores the challenges faced by individuals and communities in the clean energy transition and efforts to support job transitions and access federal resources.
Betony Jones is a nationally recognized expert in labor-climate issues, with a focus on the intersection between climate jobs, clean energy, and unions. As the director of the Office of Energy Jobs, she oversees workforce development strategies and engages with organized labor and other stakeholders to ensure that the Department of Energy’s (DOE) policies and program implementation result in high-quality jobs and economic equity. Previously, Jones was a senior advisor on workforce for the DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. She began her career working on climate science in the White House Office of Science and Technology policy in the Clinton Administration. From there, she spent 20 years researching the economic opportunities associated with climate action, including as associate director of the Green Economy program at the University of California Labor Center and as founder and CEO of Inclusive Economics, a national strategy firm working at the intersection of labor, workforce, and clean energy.
Resources from this episode - how to learn more and where to apply:
- Through the Registered Apprenticeship Program, get paid to earn nationally recognized credentials and receive hands-on training and mentorship in industries like manufacturing, construction, energy, and transportation.
- Find information about opportunities and grants that fund clean energy and infrastructure projects—and the jobs that go with them— through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law launchpad.
- Read these GreenBiz articles on how to compete for the Department of Energy’s $97 billion in funding and three grants specific to renewable energy.
- The American Climate Corps is set to get 20,000 citizens into climate jobs. One of their first available programs is Forest Corps. Apply here.
- Want to work with Betony Jones? Here’s a fellowship at her department, the Office of Energy Jobs.
- How the Department of Energy supports retooling automotive factories for electric vehicle manufacturing.
Clean energy fellowships, internships and other opportunities:
- Check out Sustainable Career Pathways’ list of 18 sustainability fellowships for students and working professionals.
- Read everything you need to know about an EDF Climate Corps Fellowship and tips on the application process.
- If you’re an undergraduate college student, consider the United Nations Academic Impact Millennium Fellowship, where you can make your campus more sustainable.
- For recent graduates, there’s the International Council on Clean Transportation Fellowship, which supports research on transportation policy around the globe; and the Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy has fellowships in both wind and solar energy.
- If you are working full or part time, there’s programs for you too! Check out fellowships with the Clean Energy Leadership Institute, Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), and Climatebase.
Must-reads on the impact of the legislation on climate jobs:
- Betony Jones’ article Good Jobs with Good Pay and Benefits are Key to Building the Clean Energy Future.
- How the Inflation Reduction Act is impacting green job creation, according to the World Economic Forum.
- The fact sheet on how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) will create, on average, 1.5 million jobs per year for ten years.
- Confused by the acronyms? Here’s the differences between the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
- Learn how the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act are making historic levels of funding available for fossil fuel communities in transition to clean energy.
Related episodes:
- How to solve the EV problem and a jobs problem at the same time
- This climate champion will upend the way you think about city government jobs
- The EDF Climate Corps alumna greening the golden arches
- How a psychology major is on the frontlines of decarbonizing a global industry
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Degrees: Real talk about planet-saving careers is presented by Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Yesh Pavlik Slenk is our host. Amy Morse is EDF’s producer. Podcast Allies is our production company. Tressa Versteeg produced this episode. Mia Lobel is our story editor. Ayo Oti is our researcher. Engineering by Andrew Parella and Daniel Chavez Crook. Editing assistance from executive producer Elaine Appleton Grant. Our music is Shame, Shame, Shame from Yesh’s favorite band, Lake Street Dive. Additional music from Epidemic Sound.
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