Survey: Shortage of Qualified Energy Pros

Nov. 1, 2010
The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) has released the results of its survey on green jobs and energy-industry market trends. Sixty-seven percent

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) has released the results of its survey on green jobs and energy-industry market trends.

Sixty-seven percent of the more than 1,500 energy professionals who responded reported a shortage of energy-management practitioners.

Other findings of the survey:

  • 37 percent of experienced energy-utility professionals plan to retire during the next 10 years.

  • 60 percent of the respondents believe there is a need for national and state training to address job shortages impairing growth in green industries, including energy-efficient buildings and construction.

  • 42 percent of the respondents indicated increased availability of utility rebate programs for energy-conservation and alternative projects.

  • 62 percent of the respondents have considered the installation of renewable technologies, such as wind and solar.

“The need to develop a pool of qualified energy and green-collar professionals servicing the commercial, industrial, and governmental marketplace has never been greater,” AEE Executive Director Albert Thumann said. “There is a dire need to implement programs and policies to stimulate effective energy-efficiency training. The jobs are there. The skilled professionals to fulfill them may not (be).”

About the Author

Scott Arnold | Executive Editor

Described by a colleague as "a cyborg ... requir(ing) virtually no sleep, no time off, and bland nourishment that can be consumed while at his desk" who was sent "back from the future not to terminate anyone, but with the prime directive 'to edit dry technical copy' in order to save the world at a later date," Scott Arnold joined the editorial staff of HPAC Engineering in 1999. Prior to that, he worked as an editor for daily newspapers and a specialty-publications company. He has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Kent State University.