The IREC Vision Summit is a one-day visionary exploration of what’s needed to make our nation’s bold clean energy goals a reality. The Summit brings together clean energy stakeholders—including prominent industry leaders, state and federal decision-makers, advocates, and others—for a deep dive into policies and practices that are essential for all Americans to benefit from clean energy.
Held on October 19, the theme of the IREC Vision Summit 2022 was workforce development. The events of the day built upon and advanced the work of the National Clean Energy Workforce Alliance, an inclusive, cross-sector effort to build the clean energy workforce of the future and ensure that expanding clean energy job opportunities can benefit diverse candidates and underserved communities.
Since January 2022, hundreds of employers, training and education providers, community-based recruitment and support organizations, energy justice organizations, and government entities at all levels have convened to identify solutions to improve clean energy education, training, and job placement outcomes. Vision Summit sessions explored some of the workforce development best practices that have emerged from this work and how to accelerate their adoption.
We at IREC thank you all for joining us and participating in the 2022 Summit! We’d also like to thank event sponsors, partners, and the IREC board and staff for all their support and contributions to making this a successful event. Explore photos and videos from the 2022 event below, and stay tuned for more information on next year’s event!
Vision Summit 2022 Videos
Opening Remarks from Larry Sherwood
Keynote Panel: Vision 2030: Trends Shaping the Clean Energy Workforce of the Future
To reach bold decarbonization and clean energy goals we need to dramatically transform and expand our workforce. It’s a good bet the 2030 workforce will look a bit different than today. Who are these future clean energy professionals? What will they be doing and what skills will they possess? Our panel of experts leveraged their diverse perspectives to envision and forecast how our industry will evolve to meet climate, equity, and workforce challenges.
- Trenton Allen – Sustainable Capital Advisors (Moderator)
- Carla Walker-Miller – Walker-Miller Energy Services
- Darnell Johnson – Urban Efficiency Group
- Nicole Steele – U.S. Department of Energy
- Johnathan Van Roekel – Lake County Resources Initiative
Energy Heroes: Building the Clean Energy Workforce of the Future
We know that opportunities for clean energy careers are some of the best-kept secrets in our country, and significant barriers may prevent interested individuals from pursuing these career pathways. This is especially true when considering the underrepresented communities and individuals we need to reach to build an industry that better reflects the U.S. population and its needs. Hear from your peers about programs that are leveraging the energy transition to bring prosperity to families and communities across the country.
- Dr. Janell Hills – Interstate Renewable Energy Council (Moderator)
- Geovani Caldero – Solar One
- James Metoyer, III – EnerCity Collaborative
- Francisca Peral – Stacks and Joules
- Wendy Angel – Emerald Cities
Innovating Training and Education to Expand Opportunity
What role does training and education have in attracting and retaining the next generation of clean energy workers? Clean energy technology is rapidly evolving. Are our training solutions keeping pace? Hear from leaders in professional development and education about programs that prepare the diverse workforce to meet ambitious clean energy goals. Learn about effective training strategies that result in on-the-job performance and promote equity in the classroom and in the field.
- Kristen Hagerty – Interstate Renewable Energy Council (Moderator)
- Adewale OgunBadejo – GRID Alternatives (HQ)
- Michelle Pletch – ELB Learning
- Pamela Dincher – Clean Energy Center at Penn College
- Vaughan Woodruff – ReVision Energy
Positioning the Clean Energy Industry as Preferred Employers
How can we position the clean energy industry as preferred employers, attracting, developing, and retaining the best talent? This dynamic panel features ideas to highlight the intrinsic benefits of clean energy jobs while examining barriers and paths forward to support “high road” jobs and welcome diverse individuals to our workforce.
- Erika Symmonds – Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) (Moderator)
- Jodi Pincus – Nomada Coaching & Consulting
- Gus Williams – CleanTech Alliance
- Amy Heart – Sunrun
- Erin Hutson – Laborers International Union of North America
Insights on the Inflation Reduction Act from Richard Lawrence
Remarks from US Department of Labor’s Sasha Cooper-Morrison
Breakout Room Highlights
Closing Remarks
To learn more about the themes, panels, and speakers at past IREC Vision Summits, explore our archives from 2020 and 2019.
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