PROVIDE VALUE TO YOUR MEMBERS
ESTABLISH A
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM
Recognize the vital role of workforce development in promoting economic growth
Chambers of commerce and economic development organizations recognize the vital role of workforce development in promoting economic growth, fostering business expansion, and regional competitiveness.
Clean energy workforce training is crucial for meeting the growing industry demand for skilled labor, supporting sustainable economic development, creating diverse job opportunities, and enhancing community resilience. By fostering a clean energy ready workforce, communities can ensure a steady pipeline of qualified professionals, fostering innovation and long-term economic stability.
Workforce & Training Resources
The National Skills Coalition works with businesses and about 200 chambers of commerce nationally to advance state and federal policies that support the clean energy workforce through their Business Leaders United program.
ACCE partner, the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning, works closely with electric and gas utilities to train staff on expanding and maintaining the electrical grid.
CHAMBERS IN ACTION
Click below to see examples from around the country.
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The Blackstone Valley Chamber of Commerce received an economic development grant to launch the Career Readiness Lab, an innovative work-based learning program to help local students with workforce development, including renewable energy tech training.
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UpSkill Houston — an employer-led initiative — mobilizes the collective action of more than 200 critical stakeholders to strengthen the pipeline of skilled workers that employers need and to create better pathways to opportunity and prosperity. The focus is on the good careers in Houston that require skills beyond high school, but less than a four-year college degree. The changing clean energy workforce is only one piece of the broad focus of this program.
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UNITE-LA, an intermediary organization that has long collaborated with chambers of commerce throughout California and the U.S., developed the LA Regional Cleantech Career Academy, which brings together partners from cleantech, academia, labor, and local government to provide education, training, and mentorship to the next generation of cleantech workers across Los Angeles.
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The One SouthCoast Chamber (formerly New Bedford Chamber) partnered with the New Bedford Wind Energy Center to demonstrate the community’s readiness for offshore wind.
“We are excited by the job and investment growth that offshore wind development could offer to our member businesses and community. We also recognize that local chambers of commerce are the ideal places to host conversations about the new economic opportunities in clean energy and other dynamic industries.” Rick Kidder, One SouthCoast Chamber President & CEO
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In response to the closure of their local General Motors plant, the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber looked for opportunities to help the community rebound. When electric truck maker Lordstown Motors bought the facility, the chamber worked with the startup to host supply chain events in support of the emerging EV industry.
“We're actively working with our regional partners to create a smart logistics hub to address immediate and long-term industry needs. Such investments would include an intermodal rail connection; installation of an electric autonomous truck circulator route; the consolidation of the current split interchange configuration along the Ohio Turnpike at Lordstown; a transfer yard for trailers; and the installation of ‘Smart Logistics’ along State Route 45 to enable wireless communication with on-board units, charging of electric trucks and collecting and disseminating freight performance to logistic providers.” Sarah Boyarko, Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber Chief Operating Officer & Senior Vice President
Interested in exploring the needs of the growing clean energy workforce
Contact us at info@chambersforinnovation.com.