WASHINGTON, D.C. – Are you trying to help your graduating senior figure out their future? Are you a Gen Zer without a plan? A millennial contemplating a career change? How will you or your child make a living in a changing world?
Well, did you know the demand is soaring for workers in fields that help us be more climate resilient?
In 2023, jobs in clean energy grew by 4.2%, more than twice as much as the job growth rate in the overall economy.
And these clean energy jobs grew in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Currently, there are more than 4 million climate-related jobs — and that number is continuously growing.
“I did not expect to go into solar at all,” said Albert Yeh.
When he lost his job during the pandemic, Yeh saw an opening at an energy company.
“I started out as an admin assistant for the company and now I run my own little team,” he said.
Yeh is now making more than double what he was making as a court reporter, going from $40,000 a year to $110,000 a year.
Rolando Navarrete’s career also took a turn towards a greener future. Once in remodeling, now, he increased his salary by $50,000 as an electrician.
“I think my favorite part is to work on electrical cars,” Navarrete said.
Both Navarrete and Yeh are part of a renewable workforce revolution.
“It’s called a climate-ready workforce,” explained NOAA Senior Climate Education and Workforce Programs Manager Frank Neipold.
He says the green jobs are endless.
climate-ready
“Usually when you think climate job, you think electrician, welder, solar installer, wind technician, but it actually goes way beyond that,” Neipold said.
For example, bankers assess environmental risks in loans, marketers promote eco-friendly products, and construction workers operate cranes for offshore wind farms.
“That requires a high school degree and a one-year paid training. And your starting salary is a hundred thousand dollars,” said Neipold.
A report from LinkedIn estimates that by 2030, one in five jobs will lack the green talent to fill it. By 2050, this gap will be one in two jobs.
That’s why Neipold believes prioritizing and valuing technical skills is crucial for families.
“These are really purposeful jobs. They’re really important to doing the right thing by our communities. We know this next generation coming up, purpose is incredibly important to them,” he explained.
“Every day you just know you’re doing something better for humanity, for mankind, for our children, the future,” said Yeh.
Twenty-two states and two territories have launched the “Governors' Climate-Ready Workforce Initiative.” This initiative aims to train one million people by 2035 in green energy jobs like renewable energy, sustainable construction, and climate resilience.
It focuses on expanding apprenticeships — combining classroom instruction with on-the-job training.