MEEA Webinars
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Online
Workforce development (WFD) is the energy efficiency industry’s biggest opportunity to meet supplier diversity goals, reach communities considered disadvantaged by the Justice40 initiatives, and impact diverse communities with family sustaining jobs and generational wealth building opportunities. Nearly 8 million clean energy jobs will be added worldwide by 2030 and funding is on the rise for on-the-job and classroom-based training opportunities to develop the new workforce. Yet systemic barriers prevent many of our most impacted communities from knowing about, accessing, and benefiting from these initiatives, resulting in low levels of diversity in the workforce.
Drawing on experiences in the WFD and supplier diversity landscape, panelists will lead the audience in a discussion about systemic barriers that include a lack of diversity in trainer or trade ally networks, complex administrative requirements, need for additional wraparound services such as transportation and mental or physical health care, and a need for more financial support than is available through programs or entry level jobs. Panelists will share examples of organizations at the community level who work against systemic barriers to support WFD in their communities.
The outputs of this webinar will inform a workshop at the MEEA 2024 Annual Member Meeting centered on developing solutions to overcome systemic barriers in your WFD initiatives.
Featuring:
- Quinn Parker, Founder and CEO, Encolor
- Scott Alan Davis, Vice President of Inclusion and Economic Development, SEEL LLC
- Paul Douglas, President, The JPI Group
- Cornell Johnson, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Center for Energy Workforce Development