In 2009 and 2010, ATEEC facilitated a series of seven regional Energy Conversations. The primary purpose of the conversations was to obtain a snapshot view of existing and upcoming energy jobs and to determine which jobs are currently needed in different regions of the country, including the Mid-Atlantic, North Central, Northwest, South Central, Southeast, Southwest, and West. The resulting report on these Energy Conversations is intended to provide a preliminary labor market analysis and needs assessment. This information allows educational organizations to most effectively target regional energy industry requirements and to provide both short-and long-term education and training for the energy technicians of the 21st century workforce.

In each energy conversation, participants included business, industry, non-profit, and government agency representatives, as well as two- and four-year college environmental technology educators. The groups addressed the following items at a regional level:

• Specific technician-level jobs typically found in the area
• Types of certification required by these jobs
• Labor market data resources for the region
• Most prevalent and fastest-growing jobs
• Area’s current Best Practices in education and training for energy jobs
• Common technical skills that cut across energy occupations
• Common employability skills required for most of these occupations
• Future trends in the energy field

Ultimately, this report should contribute to addressing the workforce development needs of business, industry, and government by providing educators with information needed to develop relevant curriculum that prepares students for energy technology careers. The audience for this report includes:

• Counselors, faculty, and administrators of academic institutions at all levels, but particularly in two-year colleges and high schools
• Technicians and employers of technicians (e.g., companies, government agencies);
• Leaders of professional societies
• Federal, state, and local government officials responsible for the quality and quantity of the nation’s technical workforce