Bill Overview
Title: Green Jobs and Opportunity Act
Description: This bill requires the Department of Labor to address current and future workforce shortages within the clean energy technology sector. Labor must monitor trends and shortages within the sector, recommend ways to prepare the workforce to meet the demands of a clean energy economy, and provide grants to establish training programs for occupations or fields of work with such shortages. Labor must also establish a National Advisory Committee on the Clean Energy Technology Workforce to provide advice on preparing the workforce to transition to a clean energy economy.
Sponsors: Rep. Delgado, Antonio [D-NY-19]
Target Audience
Population: individuals in the clean energy technology sector workforce
Estimated Size: 1000000
- The clean energy technology sector is a rapidly growing global industry.
- Workforce shortages in this sector can impact the success of clean energy initiatives worldwide.
- Training programs will likely impact individuals seeking jobs and skills in this sector.
- The act targets the current and future workforce, affecting upcoming graduates and professionals seeking to transition into the clean energy field.
- Given the global emphasis on transitioning to a clean energy economy, similar workforce shortages and impacts are expected worldwide.
Reasoning
- The clean energy technology sector is a rapidly growing field with increasing job opportunities, thus having significant interest from a diverse range of people, from those entering the job market to mid-career professionals.
- Importance is placed on a mix of representatives - both those strongly affected and those moderately or not affected by the policy to understand a wide impact spectrum.
- Budget constraints set limits on how widespread and intensive the training programs can be, influencing medium-term outlooks.
Simulated Interviews
Recent College Graduate (California)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 2/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope this policy creates more entry-level jobs in clean energy.
- I am excited about the training programs since they seem to align well with my career goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 7 |
Electrician (Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This gives me a new professional path which is sustainable in the future.
- I think this will greatly improve my job stability.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Energy Policy Analyst (New York)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy strengthens the U.S. workforce in a critical sector.
- I'm pleased to see the focus on renewable energy sources.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Manufacturing Worker (Ohio)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The transition to clean energy feels like a big upheaval, but the training programs offer a way to adapt.
- It's a challenging change at this stage in my career.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Project Manager in Wind Energy Sector (Colorado)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The act can help close the skills gap.
- I believe it will bring more skilled workers to our projects boosting operations.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Solar Panel Installer (Florida)
Age: 37 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The training opportunities in integrating IT with solar energy systems are promising.
- This will enhance my skill set and job prospects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
School Career Counselor (Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm optimistic that this policy will broaden the career opportunities I can present to students.
- Environmental careers are the future, and policy like this helps.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Coal Miner (Arizona)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel anxious about the future of the coal industry.
- The policy might provide me with new career training opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Engineering Student (Massachusetts)
Age: 26 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy reassures me that I’ve chosen a future-proof field.
- I'm excited to enter a well-supported job market post-graduation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Retired Engineer (Michigan)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I am not directly impacted by career prospects, the shift to clean energy is important for our future.
- I see potential returns from my investments because of this policy's support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $500000000 (Low: $400000000, High: $600000000)
Year 2: $510000000 (Low: $410000000, High: $620000000)
Year 3: $522000000 (Low: $420000000, High: $640000000)
Year 5: $550000000 (Low: $440000000, High: $680000000)
Year 10: $606000000 (Low: $486000000, High: $746000000)
Year 100: $726000000 (Low: $606000000, High: $866000000)
Key Considerations
- The rapid growth of the clean energy sector necessitates immediate workforce action to prevent skill shortages.
- Long-term commitment to training and sector-specific advisory bodies could ensure sustainable growth and competitiveness.
- Public-private partnerships may enhance the effectiveness of training programs, leveraging industry expertise.