This recent article from Sightline Daily illustrates the importance of linking education and workforce training when it comes to green jobs. The piece cites a study done by Washington State University that looked at renewable energy industries and workforce development issues.
After a surveying dozens of renewable energy employers and experts, the authors of the study concluded that there aren’t enough qualified workers with core skills to meet the business’s demand. According to the report, “Many employers reported serious academic skill gaps among new hires and job applicants, especially among younger and less-experienced workers and job applicants. Basic math, writing and communication skills were often described as inadequate for entry-level employment.”
This scarcity of of these basic skills isn’t just a problem for the green economy, of course. Finding qualified workers for middle-skill jobs, among many others, have been an ongoing issue in all parts of the US.
To read about the work EMSI has been doing to help bridge the gap between workforce development, education, and employers, click here.
