Solar Installer Labor Market Analysis: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Clean Energy Workforce Conference 2011 Saratoga Springs, NY March 9, 2011

Transcription

1 Solar Installer Labor Market Analysis: Na5onal Renewable Energy Lab Clean Energy Workforce Conference 2011 Saratoga Springs, NY March 9, 2011 Philip Jordan, Green LMI Consul5ng

2 What is the Solar LMA? Report on current and projected solar installation workforce needs Designed to be representative nationally and regionally to inform the Solar Instructor Training Network Authored by Barry Friedman, NREL, and Philip Jordan, Green LMI Consulting

3 Solar Instructor Training Network Sponsors professional development of local instructors Enables capacity building of local educational institutions Develops materials, tools and resources 3

4 Solar Instructor Training Network 8 REGIONS, 9 REGIONAL RESOURCE AND TRAINING PROVIDERS Kennebec Valley Community College California Community Colleges Board of Governors, California Energy Commission, California Centers for Sustainable Energy, the Labor Management Coopera5on CommiVee Salt Lake Community College; Solar Energy Interna5onal; Utah Solar Energy Associa5on Midwest Renewable Energy Associa5on Hudson Valley Community College Pennsylvania State University North Carolina Solar Center at NCSU REGIONS: Northeast Northern Mid-Atlantic Southern Mid-Atlantic Southeast The Energy Ins5tute at HCC - Northeast Florida Solar Energy Center at UCF Midwest South-Central Rocky Mountain California/Hawaii Providers Partnership Slid e 4

5 What are the Goals? Primary To inform the SITN on national and regional trends to ensure that the training matches employers needs Secondary To inform the general public on current and future trends in the solar installation sector

6 Report Highlights Solar Installation Firms are Growing U.S. installers currently employ approximately 44,000 solar workers and expect to add about 9,900 more over the coming 12-month period, from August 2010 to August % of firms expect more employees in 12 months, and less than 3% expect fewer. More 55.6% Same number 32.4% Less 2.8% Installation companies expect more than 18% employment growth overall in the next 12 months, and 22% growth in those employees who spend at least 50% of their time on solar. Don't know/ refused 9.3%

7 Report Highlights Occupational Growth Solar water heating installers and technicians: 31%. 65% 55% (2) Photovoltaics (PV) Installers: 55%. Solar sales: 42%. Site assessors: 36%. 12-month Growth 45% 35% 25% (11) (7) (9) (10) (3) (8) (6) (5) (1) 45% 55% 65% Difficulty Hiring (1) Solar water or pool heating installers or technicians (2) Solar photovoltaic installers or technicians (3) Sales representatives or estimators (4) Solar designers or engineers (5) Solar installation managers or project foremen (6) HVAC technicians with specific skills in solar installations (7) Energy auditors (4)

8 Report Highlights Employer Needs and Preferences ½ of firms reported difficulty in finding qualified entrylevel candidates (59% reported difficulty finding non-entry-level employees) Firms reported significant difficulty finding qualified applicants across all installation occupations Recruiting non-entry level employees with adequate skills and work experience Recruiting entry-level employees with appropriate training and education Retaining valuable employees who could be hired by competitors 21% 38% 16% 36% 9% 33% 52% 35% 43% 6% 6% 7% Companies are looking for experience with customer service, construction, and electrical projects Providing training opportunities so current employees are able to advance within the organization 9% 33% 54% 5% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Great difficulty No difficulty Some difficulty Don't know/ refused

9 Report Highlights Employer Needs and Preferences Firms show overwhelming preference for informal OTJ training Over half use customized or existing training programs for their employees Informal, on the job training Courses taught through an industry-specific association or group Customized training for your employees Courses at a local training or education provider, such as a community college 82.0% 56.7% 51.0% 38.5% A union apprenticeship program 10.6% Other 3.2% Don't know/refused 2.8% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100%

10 Report Highlights PV on left; Thermal on right General construction experience 48.7% 43.5% Customer service skills 65.3% 26.6% Electricians' skills and/or experience General understanding of the mechanics & engineering of solar power Customer service skills that simplify the solar installation process Field experience on solar installations 60.9% 57.6% 58.2% 47.6% 31.0% 34.3% 30.3% 40.7% General understanding of the mechanics & engineering of solar power General construction experience Field experience on solar installations 51.5% 49.1% 46.1% 37.6% 41.2% 39.4% Knowledge of Article 690 NEC 58.5% 27.7% Plumbing skills and/or experience 44.5% 35.2% Knowledge of site assessment technology 39.7% 40.3% Knowledge of site assessment technology 34.7% 40.2% A state licensed electrician 51.3% 19.3% A state licensed plumber 24.5% 18.1% NABCEP Solar PV Installer Certification Passed the NABCEP Solar PV Entry-Level Exam Ability to develop CAD drawings 26.6% 20.9% 22.5% 39.5% 41.6% 36.9% NABCEP Solar Thermal Installer Certification Plumbing certification not specific to solar 15.4% 14.5% 31.1% 29.4% A state licensed solar installer 26.9% 20.2% Ability to develop CAD 10% 25.2% Associate Degree specific to the position 8% 29.6% Associate Degree specific to the position 5% 27.8% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Very important Somewhat important 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% Very important Somewhat important

11 Questions? Philip Jordan Green LMI Consulting, Inc. (617)