Creating Opportunities for America’s Clean Energy Workforce

Industry growth will ultimately depend on people.

As energy demand rises, the industry will need a steady increase of skilled technicians to build, operate, and maintain wind, solar, and battery storage facilities. That's why LRE is helping support a new national certification program designed to strengthen the clean energy workforce, create career opportunities, and ensure workers have the skills needed to succeed safely in the field.

Developed by the American Clean Power Association (ACP) with input from leading renewable energy companies, the ACP Certification Program is the first industry-developed credential for clean energy technicians. The program provides a standardized way to validate skills, prioritizing safety and operational excellence.

"There's a lot of technician training programs available, but they don't necessarily measure competency," said Abby Huston, ACP's Vice President of Programs and Workforce. "The certification program will be used to establish a worker as highly trained, competent and safe. This also helps create a pipeline of certified renewable technicians."

The certification program was created in response to an industry need identified by clean energy companies and ACP workforce leaders.

"Partnering with other organizations helps close the gap between training centers and real-world field capabilities," said Sott Garten, ACP's Senior Vice President, Safety, Operations & Workforce Institute. "It will also help meet the projected doubling of clean energy jobs by marking a major step toward building the workforce infrastructure needed to meet growing energy demand."

As Garten explains, the difference between training and certification is clear. "Training is learning to drive," he said. "Certification is actually taking the driving test and passing it."

For LRE, supporting the program is about creating pathways to well-paying jobs, strengthening local communities, and helping ensure the industry has the skilled workforce needed to meet the nation's growing energy needs. A recognized industry standard helps workers showcase their capabilities while giving employers greater confidence in workforce readiness.

"LRE is proud to be involved with ACP's certification program because a well-trained workforce benefits the entire ecosystem," said Willem van der Ven, LRE's Chief Operating Officer. "Industry jobs are expected to double by 2030, making talent development an important priority. By establishing consistent standards for competency and safety, we're helping create opportunities for American workers while strengthening performance across employers, job sites, and the communities we serve."