Energizing the Workforce: New Normal, Same Purpose
The new way of living that we are currently facing as a globe is causing us to take a step back and evaluate many components of our day to day life. Whether that is in your personal or professional routines, changes seem to be coming into existence every day. An overwhelming amount of news and media platforms have taken vast control of our working days and I have found it rather difficult to remain entirely focused on my daily tasks. I have spent much of my time thinking about how this will affect us moving forward. Will we all still be employed by the thriving energy industry? Will certain sectors be put on pause? Will the industry still even be considered “thriving?” These questions circulate in my brain daily and I have spent countless hours trying to answer them, but I have now come to realize, I can’t. Currently, we don’t have all the answers and accepting that fact is okay. Countless industries across the world, in or out of EE, are navigating not only what today will look like, but the months and years to follow.
The millions of us who are employed by the energy industry are pondering these questions above now more than ever. Prior to the outbreak of COVID-19, changes were happening rather quickly in various avenues of our industry and now those changes will grow exponentially. I have heard a million and one responses that share what the future of the American workforce will look like moving forward in years to come. A public policy nonprofit located in Washington DC, Brookings Institution, gives insight on what this pandemic will do for the infrastructure sector of the American workforce. “As federal, state, and local leaders look to provide economic relief, they must pay special attention to the support and protection of our current infrastructure workforce. Additionally, this moment offers an opportunity that we may not see again anytime soon: the chance to jump start long-term infrastructure careers for millions of prospective workers nationally” (Brookings Institution). This essential workforce can use this time to create a stable foundation for an entirely new generation of employees.
On the contrary, ACEEE gave insight from a handful of stakeholders working in different fields of the energy space. “..right now, the pandemic’s impact on energy efficiency is most severe and immediate for the workforce and businesses” (Ben Somberg, ACEEE) Three of these interviewees shared that a portion, if not all, of their work, has been stopped entirely. Some even have to furlough most of their staff during this global crisis. While there have been a few different avenues for small businesses or individual employees to receive financial assistance during this time, there is not enough to cover every working American.
For now, we need to make sure we are prioritizing our health and are following the guidelines given to us in order to flatten the curve and get back to normal. Another question that is rising among the energy industry and the American workforce is, will we ever return to “normal?” Or will “normal” be entirely different than what we are accustomed to now? In terms of “normal,” part of our duty and purpose at the SJVCEO. is to enhance the safety and health of people through energy improvements. How will that change or will it? Being able to use energy efficiency to improve public health for Californians is part of the reason why this industry matters, so I am hesitant to accept the fact that our purpose will change. At the end of all of this, our goal as an organization is to serve vulnerable populations and provide these groups with access to affordable, efficient energy. The journey to how we achieve this goal may change, but the purpose of our work will always remain through and through. Being able to step back and have a deep understanding of why our work matters and comprehend the importance of our day to day tasks makes the “waiting for normal” period more meaningful.