The clean energy job market is rapidly expanding, and employers are finding it increasingly difficult to fill jobs. This infographic explains how inclusive apprenticeship programs can help the sector close the talent gap and make progress toward their diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) goals.
- Significant return on investment: In 2020, the average Registered Apprenticeship program yielded a 170% return on investment for North Carolina employers. Companies that embraced best practices for employing and supporting more workers with disabilities in their workforce achieved 28% higher revenue, doubled their net income, and attained 30% higher profit margins on average.
- Lower turnover and reduced training costs: The vast majority of apprentices (89%) maintained their positions, helping their businesses achieve a strong 3-year retention rate. At four Walgreens locations, the three-year average turnover rate was 48% higher for team members without a disability as compared to team members with a disability, saving on recruiting and training costs.
- A wider talent pool: As noted in the infographic, in 2022, only 38% of working-age adults with a disability were employed, compared with 77% of working-age adults without a disability. Nearly 11 million Americans could enter the labor force and pursue jobs, including through apprenticeships, if companies embraced full inclusion of workers with disabilities.
Additional Resources
- Read PIA’s resource, The Value of Inclusive Apprenticeship and “Inclusive Apprenticeships: Increasing Access to Clean Energy Careers for People with Disabilities” (Department of Labor Blog), for more about the return on investment of inclusive apprenticeship programs.
- PIA maintains numerous resources that can help the clean energy sector develop inclusive apprenticeships, including Designing Inclusive Apprenticeships: A Guide for Recruiting & Training Apprentices with Disabilities.
- Read “Diversifying the solar workforce through inclusive apprenticeships,” by PIA’s Project Director, Josh Christianson (Solar Power World Magazine).
- U.S. Veterans are often highly-valued candidates for apprenticeships, thanks to their years of rigorous training and professional service. PIA maintains a list of Support Services and Resources for Veterans that includes useful clean energy training and apprenticeship opportunities.
- The Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) created several clean energy sector career maps to help new entrants consider possible career paths: IREC Career Maps
References:
- Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, 2022
- Bloomberg, 2022
- US Department of Energy, 2022
- Ibid.
- Ibid.
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022
- US Department of Labor, 2021
- US Department of Labor, 2018
- ApprenticeshipNC, 2020
- Accenture, 2018
- Ibid.