New Research: What’s Driving the U.S. Skilled Workforce Shortage?
Grounded.org and the U.S. Department of Energy convene influencers in Pittsburgh to discuss IRA implementation.
The Challenge
Following the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act in 2022, we teamed up with the U.S. Department of Energy to bring unions, community leaders, artists, and creators together at the Global Clean Energy Action Forum in Pittsburgh. The conversations highlighted a huge opportunity: the need to recruit a new wave of skilled workers to build America’s new clean economy that we’re now making historic public investments in.
From electricians and welders to EV technicians and geothermal engineers, these roles are essential to driving the clean economy forward. Closing this workforce gap is key to hitting our climate goals, lowering energy prices, and strengthening America’s energy system.
Our Research
To deepen our understanding of today’s workforce shortage, Grounded commissioned research in 2023 to explore why clean economy sectors are struggling to attract skilled workers. Through focus groups and expert interviews, we gathered insights from those on the ground—workers, trainers, and employers—to understand the factors attracting people to green jobs and the barriers preventing wider participation. Our goals was to help local and national organizations gain deeper insights to tailor their recruitment strategies and better support their workforce development goals.
Results
The research identified two major barriers to workforce recruitment in the clean economy:
Cultural Stigma: Jobs in the clean economy, such as those in renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and green building, are often misperceived as low-status or unattractive. This outdated image does not reflect the reality: many of these careers are highly skilled, technologically advanced, and offer substantial earning potential. Workers in these fields often earn six-figure incomes, with opportunities for entrepreneurship and business ownership as the industry grows.
Digital Barriers: Those interested in pursuing careers within the clean economy often struggle to navigate the fragmented job landscape. The lack of a centralized, accessible platform makes it difficult for potential workers to find training programs and employment opportunities. This fragmentation disproportionately affects underrepresented groups, as recruitment often depends on personal networks rather than broader outreach.
Field Testing
Grounded is now working alongside community organizations, unions, and local businesses to field-test innovative solutions that address these barriers. As part of an emerging collaborative called TradesForce, we’re supporting nationwide place-based efforts that showcase the benefits of clean economy careers, helping local leaders use cultural engagement to change public perceptions and attract a diverse workforce.
Through our work with partners, we’ve identified additional barriers, such as transportation and childcare, that often prevent individuals from pursuing these opportunities. In response, we’re integrating these critical needs into our pilot programs, collaborating with local groups to provide wraparound support that helps overcome these challenges and make clean economy jobs more accessible to everyone.
Additionally, we are partnering with Climatebase and SkillUp to help develop a centralized platform that simplifies the path into clean economy careers. This digital hub will provide a one-stop resource where individuals can explore job opportunities, access training programs, and connect directly with employers. Our aim is to make clean economy jobs more accessible and visible, particularly to underrepresented communities.
To request more information or explore partnerships, contact the Office of the Executive Director at oed@grounded.org.