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As states accelerate investments in clean energy, one challenge is becoming increasingly clear: the success of these investments will depend on workforce capacity. Technologies, incentives, and policy frameworks are advancing quickly, but the ability to deliver projects on the ground ultimately depends on contractors, technicians, installers, and skilled workers across multiple sectors.
Across Oregon, the energy transition is creating new opportunities for economic growth, workforce development, and long-term energy resilience. At the same time, meeting ambitious energy savings and generation goals requires a deeper understanding of workforce demand, contractor capacity, and the training systems that support the clean energy economy.
THE MOMENT
Energy Trust of Oregon plays a central role in advancing energy efficiency and clean energy adoption across the state. As programs expand across residential, commercial, industrial, solar, and agricultural sectors, the organization is advancing a centralized workforce development strategy designed to support its long-term energy savings and generation goals.
To guide this effort, Energy Trust is undertaking a comprehensive workforce baseline assessment that will help identify where workforce constraints may limit program delivery and where targeted investments can expand contractor capacity and strengthen career pathways.
Key questions shaping this work include:
- Where do workforce shortages pose the greatest risk to program delivery?
- Which occupations and skills are most critical to the clean energy transition?
- How do workforce conditions differ across Oregon’s urban, suburban, and rural markets?
- Where can workforce investments produce the greatest return for both employers and workers?
THE CIVIC SOLUTION
CivicSol is proud to partner with Energy Trust of Oregon to conduct this statewide workforce baseline assessment and help translate analysis into practical workforce strategy. Our work combines labor market analysis, contractor and stakeholder engagement, and implementation-focused planning. The engagement includes:
- Cross-sector occupational demand analysis and workforce pressure assessment across clean energy program areas
- Statewide mapping of the workforce and training ecosystem supporting energy-sector occupations
- Structured interviews and roundtables with contractors, businesses, training providers, and program staff
- Module-based analysis across key program areas including residential efficiency, solar and resilience, commercial buildings, industrial systems, and agriculture
- Staff workshops and action design sessions translating findings into practical workforce initiatives
- Cross-module synthesis identifying system-level workforce priorities and implementation pathways
To support this work, CivicSol is partnering with Lightcast for labor market analytics and IdeaSmiths for specialized clean energy sector expertise. Together, the team brings workforce intelligence, energy sector knowledge, and implementation experience to support Energy Trust’s long-term strategy.
THE IMPACT
The result will be more than a workforce study. It will be a practical foundation for strengthening the workforce systems that support Oregon’s clean energy transition.
This work will help Energy Trust:
- Identify the occupations and workforce challenges most critical to program delivery
- Align workforce investments with real contractor and market needs
- Strengthen coordination across training providers, employers, and workforce partners
- Expand access to quality clean energy careers across Oregon communities
As the clean energy economy grows, workforce capacity will increasingly determine how quickly and effectively energy goals can be achieved. This engagement will help ensure Oregon’s workforce systems are prepared to support that transition.
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