Survey: Shortage of Qualified Energy Pros

The Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) has released the results of its survey on green jobs and energy-industry market trends.

Sixty-seven percent of the more than 1,500 energy professionals who responded reported a shortage of energy-management practitioners.

Other findings of the survey:

• 37 percent of experienced energy-utility professionals plan to retire during the next 10 years.
• 60 percent of the respondents believe there is a need for national and state training to address job shortages impairing growth in green industries, including energy-efficient buildings and construction.
• 42 percent of the respondents indicated increased availability of utility rebate programs for energy-conservation and alternative projects.
• 62 percent of the respondents have considered the installation of renewable technologies, such as wind and solar.

"The need to develop a pool of qualified energy and green-collar professionals servicing the commercial, industrial, and governmental marketplace has never been greater," AEE Executive Director Albert Thumann said. "There is a dire need to implement programs and policies to stimulate effective energy-efficiency training. The jobs are there. The skilled professionals to fulfill them may not (be)."