Episode 767

767: The Key to Retaining and Developing the Next Generation of Clean Energy Professionals with Jen Szaro & Paul Douglas

Published on: 27th November, 2024

Expanding the clean energy workforce means focusing on more than just filling jobs; it calls for a commitment to equity, diversity, and creating tangible opportunities that drive lasting community benefits.With federal initiatives like Justice 40 driving investments into underserved communities, the challenge lies in creating pathways for high-quality, local jobs that support the clean energy transition. For industry professionals, understanding how to align workforce development with community impact is a pressing priority.

Jen Szaro, CEO of the Association of Energy Services Professionals (AESP), and Paul Douglas, President of JPI Group, share strategies to meet these demands. Jen leverages her extensive expertise in energy program leadership, while Paul highlights JPI Group’s innovative work in workforce development and supply diversity. Together, they explore how data-driven approaches and inclusive practices can ensure that the benefits of clean energy growth reach everyone.

Expect to Learn:

  • The importance of tracking real outcomes to measure program success.
  • How mentorship fosters retention and knowledge-sharing within the clean energy sector.
  • Strategies for building diversity and equity in workforce programs.
  • How to ensure Justice 40 funding creates measurable community benefits.

Watch this and other insightful conversations recorded live at the PowerUp Live Podcast Stage at www.suncast.live!  And if you’d like to learn more about Jen and AESP, you should listen to her full SunCast episode which published in October!

If you want to connect with today's guest, you’ll find links to his contact info in the show notes on the blog at https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes/.

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Remember, you can always find resources, learn more about today’s guest and explore recommendations, book links, and more than 730 other founder stories and startup advice at www.mysuncast.com.

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Mentioned in this episode:

CPS July 2024 V2

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About the Podcast

SunCast
Your resource for developing a clean energy or climate tech career
Nico Johnson takes you into conversations with those at the forefront of Renewable Energy.

SunCast gives an inside look into what is happening in renewable energy. From conversations with the biggest Solar Panel manufacturers in the world to the small startups creating the future of renewable energy, such as carbon capture and battery technology breakthroughs.

SunCast is dedicated to providing the knowledge, research, tools and expert guidance you need to understand, grow and be ahead of the curve in the fastest-growing markets in the world.

Featuring over 600 conversations, Nico has interviewed people from Tesla, SolarCity, Trina Solar, Meyer Burger, Conergy, SunEdison, Energy Vault and even the US Government... to name a few. Covering topics such as Solar Power, Wind Energy, Batteries, Electric Vehicles, Carbon Capture, Finance, Hydrogen, and more.

You can watch SunCast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SunCastMedia

...or view the full archive of SunCast episodes here: https://mysuncast.com/suncast-episodes