AGC Comments on Wind Energy Workforce Development Plan

AGC recently submitted comments on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Wind & Water Power Program draft plan for workforce development for the U.S. wind industry. AGC feels the plan, as drafted, is focused too narrowly since most workers in the wind sector of the energy industry will need core construction, manufacturing or energy industry skills with, possibly, some additional green training in order to work in the wind sector of the power-generation industry. Among the numerous suggestions AGC offered were that the wind energy industry workforce plan be expanded and connected to larger national efforts both to engage elementary and secondary school students so they see the relevance of what they are learning in school, and to provide the public with better information on how middle-skills jobs – that need less than a four-year degree but more than a high school diploma – are crucial to the nation’s economic success. AGC also offered the help of member firms that work in the wind energy construction sector and encouraged the federal government to include more manufacturing, energy and construction industry employers and trade associations in the development of the final plan. A copy of both the Department of Energy’s workforce road map and the AGC comments are available online.