Equitable Green Workforce Development
The role of green workforce development in a just transition to a green economy
by Sammie Trvalik, Earth Forward Group
Climate change is undeniably shaping the way we live our lives, from direct threats of extreme weather events and gradual climate processes, to indirect impacts on our economic, political, and social systems. In its advancement, the employment and broader economic sectors must adapt to an increased urgency for sustainable solutions.
Part of this transition will be a demand for a workforce skilled in sustainable technologies, trades, and expertise. At present, there is evidence across the country of a widening gap between growth in green jobs and a suitable talent pool available to prospective employers, illustrating the need for effective and sustainable green workforce development.
Green workforce development identifies what skills are valuable to an increasingly sustainability-oriented labor market and delivers workshops and on-the-job training opportunities for workers to develop those skills. For example, EFG provides green industry training to field technicians interested in participating in green energy projects, government agencies working to meet sustainability targets, and educational institutions guiding future generations, among others.
In an earlier blog post, EFG interviewed Lisa Futterman and Kaubin Neupane from the Workforce Development Institute (WDI) in New York to learn more about the interrelated challenges and opportunities in workforce development:
Job quality, attracting young workers, enhancing new skills with emerging technologies, and widening access to apprenticeship programs are top of mind. Perhaps more importantly, we must deliberately work to advance workforce development, adhering to the principles of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion. — The Workforce Development Institute of NY
Historical patterns of inequality perpetuate the spaces we live, work, and learn. Particularly vulnerable are spaces of knowledge-sharing, where biases within the identities and experiences of knowledge-sharers inherently influence how and what information is delivered.
Designing workforce development training through an equity lens is crucial to its impact for both employer and employee/job seeker. This involves meaningful inclusivity considerations at each stage of development, from program planning and execution, to quality of life on the job and beyond. These considerations can start with the basics:
Who is at the table deciding what skills are valuable? Consequently, who is knowledge-sharing and what positions of power might they hold? Equitable green workforce development requires input from a diversity of perspectives of background, gender, race, and ability to ensure that the right information is delivered.
How is information delivered and what limitations might result? Scientific and technological communication is often obscure outside of the immediate science/tech communities. Offering training in multiple languages and formats (audio, visual), simplifying language to avoid isolating jargon, and dissolving assumptions of education levels can facilitate learning and increase accessibility.
What are workers or job-seekers sacrificing to attend workshops? A number of barriers might exclude who is able to participate in (and benefit from) green workforce development. Consider offering meals, compensation for missed work or travel expenses, or child-care opportunities to workshop attendees. Moreover, schedule workshops at a time that doesn’t interfere with the working hours of your audience.
What are workers or job-seekers gaining to attend workshops? Providing concrete takeaways from workshops can illustrate that green skill training is valuable beyond the textbook. Appropriate certifications, useful tools and materials, reference materials/workbooks, and more can bring lessons beyond the classroom and into the workplace.
The best way to create an equitable and effective workforce development initiative is to communicate with your audience before, during and after workshops to ensure the right skills and information is taught in the right way.
If you are interested in learning about EFG’s program design services and incorporating DEI into your work, contact Diana McCarthy-Bercury at diana@earthforwardgroup.com or visit our website earthforwardgroup.com where you can also subscribe to our newsletter.
