Oct 21, 2024
A DOE report from August 2024 questions energy efficiency in construction.
A U.S. Department of Energy report released in August 2024 calls into question the future of energy efficiency in the construction sector. The concern is that future buildings may not be as efficient as they could be due to a labor shortage.
That labor shortage is among skilled workers capable of installing the new technologies that will make buildings more efficient. With sufficient workers to pull from, millions of new jobs could be created. But without people to fill proposed jobs, the work may never get done.
Energy Efficiency Occupations
In an overview of the report, the International Energy Agency (IEA) refers to energy efficiency occupations as jobs relating to increasing energy efficiency in the construction sector. These include occupations like HVAC mechanic, pipefitting, steamfitting, and even plumbing. All such trades are already experiencing a significant labor shortage. But as the drive for more efficient buildings accelerates, the labor shortage is expected to be more profound.
According to the IEA, just retrofitting buildings with new energy efficient technologies could lead to the creation of some 1.3 million jobs over the next 6-7 years. Their estimates are rooted in the understanding that the general aim will be to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
If the will to reach net-zero is not truly there, the associated desire to retrofit buildings will also be lacking. That changes things significantly. So, it would appear that fears of a labor shortage impacting future energy efficiency in the buildings sector relies heavily on whether you believe that the push to net-zero is genuine.
Training and Apprenticeships
Let us assume that the IEA and Department of Energy are spot on in their assessments. What does that mean for the future of both energy efficiency and power generation? It means a constant struggle for talented and fully trained workers.
The IEA is calling for more and better training opportunities for building designers, electricians, HVAC and refrigeration mechanics, installers, and more. Given that so many of the trades require specialized training, they are also calling for an emphasis on apprenticeships.
Meanwhile, the Department of Energy report indicates that U.S. employers are facing the biggest hurdles. An estimated 83% of employers in the energy efficiency field report hiring challenges.
A Global Challenge
While the U.S. Department of Energy's report deals mainly with conditions in this country, the IEA takes a more global approach. The organization says that potential labor shortages could be a worldwide problem over the next decade. But it is not just career apprenticeships and training the organization is concerned about.
They also say that primary education is not equipped to meet the challenges necessary to move young people into apprenticeships in energy efficiency. The IEA notes the importance of a solid foundation in math, reading, and writing.
We do have the STEM initiatives designed to equip students with sufficient knowledge in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. But successful STEM education is rooted in a strong primary education.
What It All Means
So, what does all of this mean? In the search to develop better and more efficient power generation, we also need to deal with what we already have in place. That means making buildings more energy efficient by way of new and better technologies.
Making it all work requires a skilled workforce. Right now, that workforce is much smaller than we would like it to be. Power generation and energy efficiency are changing. If we are to successfully keep up with the changes, we need to make sure we are training our young people to do the work.
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