The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), a nonprofit professional society of more than 13,000 members, has released the results of its survey, “Green Jobs and Energy Industry Market Trends.”

Because of current economic conditions and the need for job creation, the survey indicated there were many opportunities to create a new workforce based on the technologies being deployed as well as the number of experienced professionals scheduled to exit the energy industry. Based on more than 1,500 qualified responses from energy professionals currently employed in the field, the survey found:

• 67 percent indicated there currently is a shortage of energy-management practitioners.
• 37 percent of experienced energy-utility professionals plan to retire in the next 10 years.
• 60 percent of energy professionals surveyed indicated a need for national and state training for green jobs to address job shortages that are impairing growth in green industries, such as energy-efficient buildings and construction, renewable electric power, energy-efficient vehicles, and bio-fuels development.
• 57 percent have received higher recognition for their energy-efficiency responsibilities.
• 42 percent have indicated increased availability of utility-rebate programs for energy conservation or alternative projects.
• 62 percent have considered the installation of renewable technologies, such as wind or solar, at their business.

AEE will be presenting these findings at the World Energy Engineering Congress (WEEC), starting Dec. 8 in Washington, DC. The complete survey may be downloaded at www.aeecenter.org. A free expo pass to the WEEC can be found online. For more information about AEE, please contact Albert Thumann at kate@aeecenter.org; (770) 447-5083, ext. 220; or 4025 Pleasantdale Road, Suite 420, Atlanta, GA 30340.