Designing inclusive training programmes in energy efficiency

The energy efficiency sector currently employs 10 million workers worldwide, with the potential to grow by another 4.5 million by 2030 if targets set at COP28 to double energy efficiency are met. With the sector requiring a diverse skillset across various industries, many countries are facing workforce development challenges due to labour shortages and skills mismatches. While global efforts by governments and industry to implement training initiatives are increasing to meet this demand, it is critical that inclusivity remains a paramount consideration. This ensures that underrepresented groups including women, low-income individuals, indigenous nations and peoples, and marginalised communities have equitable access to job opportunities and benefits from the energy efficiency sector.

This event, organised as part of the IEA’s collaboration with the CEM Empowering People Initiative on skills for clean energy transitions, will delve into the importance of developing inclusive skills training initiatives and share best practices and strategies from various regions on how to design effective programmes.

This webinar will explore the following questions:

• What is the most significant barrier that underrepresented groups face in accessing training opportunities in the energy efficiency sector? How can this be addressed?
• What are specific examples of successful inclusive training and skills development programmes in your region? What made them effective?
• How can government and industry stakeholders work together to ensure inclusivity is at the core of workforce development strategies in the energy efficiency sector?
• What role do local communities and indigenous knowledge play in shaping effective and inclusive skills development programmes for energy efficiency?

Agenda

Opening Remarks

• Brian Motherway, Head of Energy Efficiency and Inclusive Transitions, International Energy Agency

Expert Panel Discussion

Moderator: Jane Cohen, Senior Programme Manager, International Energy Agency

• Corey Cote, Bringing It Home Program Manager, Indigenous Clean Energy (Canada)
• Mugure Njendu, Africa Programs Lead, Global Buildings Performance Network
• Simon Schmid, Skill Lab (EU)
• Andre Thomas, Training Manager, Isles’ Center for Energy and Environmental Training (CEET)