Date: January 01, 2012

The broad goal of the GPIC Education and Workforce task is to ensure a skilled workforce at all levels in the energy efficient buildings sector in Greater Philadelphia. One of the first steps under the education task was to conduct a skills gap analysis to articulate the education and training needs of the market. It became clear, however, that the occupational classifications relating to the GPIC Hub — and the commercial EEB retrofit market — had not been clearly defined and, therefore, that the specific skill sets or competencies for jobs within a classification scheme could not be adequately articulated.

The education and workforce task team members were also aware that changes within the workforce development and education systems were already taking place as the traditional lines between occupations, particularly in the trades, were changing. Curriculum was being modified, the design and engineering enterprise was changing, operations and maintenance functions were becoming more complex, new energy-related educational programming was emerging, unions and associations were trying to keep pace with standards and certifications, and the energy efficiency services sector was gaining a life of its own. In short, we were (and are) dealing with a complex landscape with many moving parts and acknowledge that this report represents a snapshot of a moment in time. Knowledge of the existing training and education landscape will help us to organize our thinking and activities as we cultivate purposeful engagement with institutions and organizations here in the region and beyond.