On Wednesday, April 15, 2020 from 2:00pm to 3:00pm ET, NASEO’s Rural Energy Task Force hosted a webinar to explore opportunities to support workforce development initiatives in the energy sector. Energy development has the opportunity to create stable, well-paying jobs in rural communities, while helping states advance energy, cost-saving, and environmental goals.

The recently released 2020 U.S. Energy and Employment Report shows that the energy sector accounts for nearly five percent of the U.S. workforce, and is growing faster than the economy as a whole. However, an increasing number of employers are reporting difficulty in hiring energy sector workers: over 84 percent of prospective employers in 2019, compared to 77 percent in 2018, and 70 percent in 2017.

To address this need, states are increasingly looking for opportunities to provide workers with stable employment, and the energy sector skilled labor to support their needs. This webinar featured speakers from state government and the private sector, working to provide training and career opportunities in the energy efficiency, renewable energy, and utility sectors.

Moderator:

• Sumesh Arora, PhD – Director of Energy and Natural Resources Divisions, Mississippi Development Authority

Presenters:

• Tom Tabor - Weatherization and State Energy Program Division Chief, Nebraska Energy Office - Presentation
• Nick Hylla - Executive Director, Midwest Renewable Energy Association - Presentation
• Michael Czuprynko - Manager of Safety Services, Municipal Electric Utilities of Wisconsin

Webinar Recording:

NASEO Contact: Dylan Tucker