Building Career Paths for Service-Disabled Veterans in the Clean Energy Industry

Though increasingly optimistic about the future outlook, many industry leaders face major hurdles to recruit and hire experienced candidates to fill the growing number of clean energy jobs. At least one in five Americans has a disability and one in three Veterans identifies as disabled. Apprenticeship programs that are designed to be inclusive of people with disabilities can play a vital role in building out the clean energy industry’s future workforce and creating career opportunities for veterans. This talent pipeline offers a cadre of trained and experienced job candidates with diverse skill sets, knowledge, and abilities. The U.S. Department of Labor-funded Partnership on Inclusive Apprenticeship (PIA) collaborates with employers and apprenticeship partners to design apprenticeship programs that meet employer talent needs and enable people with disabilities, including Veterans, to gain credentials and skills to succeed in growing industries. The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) administers the U.S. Department of Energy-funded Solar Ready Veterans, a program that connects transitioning military service members and Veterans with career opportunities in the solar industry. Together, presenters from these organizations will shed light on the critical nexus of accessibility and the clean energy industry, one of the key sources of jobs of the future.

SPEAKERS

Richard Lawrence, Program Director, Interstate Renewal Energy Council

Nicholas Morgan*, President, Adaptive Construction Solutions

Alexander Winn, Senior Consultant, Wheelhouse Group

*Indicates individual is a Veteran, NG/Reservist, currently serving, or a military spouse.