PSE&G, the largest electric and gas utility in New Jersey, published a whitepaper on its Clean Energy Jobs (CEJ) Program.
The paper “Delivering Energy Efficiency Jobs to Underserved Communities” explores several vital topics, including the growing need for green skills, the lack of employee diversity in the energy sector and PSE&G’s award-winning approach to address these issues through community-based recruitment, training and promotion of supplier diversity.
The paper was presented by Waltasia Mansano, manager of PSE&G’s Clean Energy Jobs program, on Aug. 5 at the 2024 American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings in Pacific Grove, CA.
The PSE&G sponsored CEJ Program launched in 2020 in partnership with the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development and more than 40 community advocates to create a more inclusive clean energy workforce.
The program’s three primary areas of focus are: underserved community-based recruitment; training and associated supportive services; and promotion of hiring and supplier diversity. Together, these efforts uniquely bolster development of a more diverse workforce.
Since 2020, the program has made notable strides, including:
- 2,500+ people placed into jobs.
- Over 90+ participants from underserved communities have graduated from the program’s On-the-Job-Training (OJT) initiative.
- 100+ businesses helped to receive minority, woman, or veteran-owned business enterprises (MWVBE) certification.
- 800+ clean energy employees have been trained and upskilled, with a focus on supporting long-term careers and creating pathways to mid-to-senior level positions.
The Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of New Jersey (SHCCNJ) has served as one of the founding members of the Clean Energy Jobs Program steering committee since 2021. Carlos A. Medina, president and CEO, SHCCNJ, shared: “Our collaboration with PSE&G has been important for advancing economic growth and diversity in clean energy. By connecting diverse suppliers and supporting small businesses through certification programs, we enhance our network and broaden economic opportunities while promoting inclusion.”
“The success of the Clean Energy Jobs Program is a testament to the power of public–private partnerships,” said Mansano. “The community and state support for this program has been critical, and we are grateful to our partners for helping us build the skilled, diverse workforce that New Jersey needs now and into the future.”
Since 2020, the CEJ Program has earned multiple awards, including a 2023 DEI Impact Awards-Partnership and a 2022 Energy Equity Award and Best Practices Award from the Smart Energy Consumer Collaborative, as well as a 2023 Outstanding Achievement in DEI Leadership Award from the Association of Energy Services Professionals.
Karen Reif, vice president, Renewables and Energy Solutions at PSE&G, states, “Our Clean Energy Jobs Program is helping to set a gold standard for workforce development in New Jersey. We’re incredibly proud of the positive impact we’ve made on the state’s clean energy workforce and look forward to continuing our efforts to support and grow the industry.”
From 2022 to 2023, the share of job postings requiring green skills almost doubled, going from 12.3% to 22.4%, an analysis by LinkedIn found. Women comprise only 28% of the STEM workforce related to the energy sector, with other minorities—such as Latinx, Blacks, and American Indians/Alaska Natives—also representing disproportionately small shares.
Tehella Giddens graduated from the OJT Program and now works as an administrative assistant for an HVAC company, Fresh Air Flow, based in southern New Jersey.
Giddens shared, “I started as an administrative assistant trainee, but immediately after going through the On-the-Job Training Program and being hired with Fresh Air Flow, I’m in charge of launching a new software, providing financing options for our customers and registering equipment for warranties. This whole experience made me realize that I am more qualified than I thought. What was once intimidating to me is now just another notch under my belt.”
“The PSE&G-sponsored On-the-Job Training Program was a transformative experience. It took me from DoorDash to HVAC, providing invaluable skills and a sense of accomplishment. This program opened doors I never imagined, it prepared me for a rewarding career and I’m now working for RNC Mechanical as an HVAC technician,” said Alexander Obregon, a graduate of the Clean Energy Jobs, OJT Program.
The CEJ Program has made significant progress in diversifying the clean energy workforce. The program’s hiring data, compared to New Jersey and national averages highlight the following comparisons:
- Female Workers: Female workers accounted for 33% of hires, whereas this group typically comprises only 17-28% of green jobs in New Jersey (Council on The Green Economy 2022).
- Black or African American Workers: This group made up 21% of hires—more than double the norm within green jobs in New Jersey (Council on The Green Economy 2022).
- Latino/Hispanic Workers: This group accounted for 20% of hires, which is representative of New Jersey (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics 2021), yet higher than the national average.
The ACEEE Summer Study brought together professionals from around the globe to advance the technologies, practices and research necessary to equitably decarbonize the building sector in a manner that addresses the urgency of the climate crisis. To download a copy of the PSE&G ACEEE CEJ whitepaper, visit here.
To learn more about the Clean Energy Program, click here.
