Introduction
As the world transitions to a low-carbon energy system and societal pressures mount to tackle the climate change, new public/private capital infusion has created a massive number of grid infrastructure projects. Power and utility executives across the globe report too few workers have the right skills to adopt digital technologies, for example,
- 60% of electrical contractors in Germany have vacancies.
- Installation companies in Sweden seek to hire an estimated 28,000 workers in the next 5 years.
- In the UK, electrical contractors will need 15,000 more new apprentices over the next 5 years.
From a recent IEEE PES webinar “Importance of T&D Grid Modernization to Mitigate Impacts from and Adapt to Climate Change,” also identifies that one of critical pillars for power sector to modernize the grid and combat climate change is to make concerted efforts at the secondary and pre-secondary education levels to attract students into energy careers and the science, technology, and engineering disciplines.
“Power industry is undergoing remarkable transitions driven mainly by decarbonization and resulting intensified electrification and grid modernization. In this context, the need for a qualified workforce for tackling these challenges has been pointed out as top priority by major power industry professionals. This need concerns all categories of key competences and levels ranging from technicians to engineers and R&D experts.”
— Nouredine Hadjsaid, Vice President New Initiatives/Outreach
Program Description
This new initiative is for PES to launch a coordinated action on workforce development while taking advantage of all what has been already considered at PES level and expand outreach to the secondary and pre-secondary education levels and further engage with governments, educational institutions, research agencies, vendors, and others, to develop and execute plans based on local industry needs and resources in the following areas of Education and Career Fostering.
This new initiative aligns with the PES long-range strategic direction – grow life-long learning and expand student offerings worldwide. At present time, PES only supports K-12 students through the IEEE TryEngineering program.
In August 2022, the IEEE TAB Society and Council Review Committee completed its society review of PES, and recommended PES more aggressively invest in new initiatives to deliver value to members. This new initiative will expand outreach to attract K-12 students into energy careers and the science, technology, and engineering disciplines and meet industry’s urgent workforce needs.
Subgroups
The PES Workforce Initiative consists of 7 subgroups focused on following areas:
Subgroup 1: (Community Colleges, Career Fairs)
Officers: Shuhui Li and Jessica Bian
The focus of Subgroup 1 is to increase the number of students from 2-year trade schools and 2-year community colleges getting into the clean energy or power and energy systems workforce. Tasks include reaching out to the 2-year trade schools and community colleges, helping them develop or improve educational or training programs in the clean energy area, and helping students navigate the clean energy job market.
Subgroup 2: (High School (9-12), Career Fairs)
Officers: Shuhui Li and Jessica Bian
The focus of Subgroup 2 is to increase the number of students from Grades 9 to 12 getting into the workforce or advanced study in the clean energy or power and energy systems area. Tasks include reaching out to high schools or associated student sectors, helping them develop or improve educational or training programs in the clean energy area for Grades 9 to 12, and helping students navigate the clean energy and power and energy systems job market.
Subgroup 3: (Global Initiatives i.e., LRP-SC4)
Officers: Nirmal Nair and Shay Bahramirad
Subgroup 4: (Website and Communication Tools, New Initiatives)
Officer: Chan Wong
Subgroup 5: (University Outreach, Career Fairs)
Officer: Babak Enayati
Subgroup 6: (Industry/Government Outreach, Career Fairs)
Officer: Masood Parvania
Subgroup 7: (IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative, Membership and New Plans etc.)
Officer: Julio Aguero
