Energizing the Workforce: At the Local Level

The SJVCEO has served geographically hard to reach and disadvantaged communities for well over a decade. Having a longstanding partnership with the local governments, constituents, and other members of the communities that we serve has put us in a unique position of not only executing our roles but also understanding these communities and their needs. At the SJVCEO, one of the pillars of our work promotes enhancing local control to the communities that we serve. Allowing the stakeholders and residents to make the decisions, influence policy, and establish goals for their community brings a sense of ownership and comradery to the region. The “local control” concept interweaves itself into many components of community development- including those of workforce programs and/or efforts.

At the SJVCEO we may not be able to save the whole world, but if we can find a way to make life better for rural California energy customers, we will! We recognize that the SJVCEO is not a workforce development organization, however we have passion about the work we do and the people that we serve. By embracing and showcasing the success of current local workforce groups that promote climate adaptive careers, success will follow. Various stakeholders within our line of work reiterate that we should not “reinvent the wheel.” In our situation this means, if organizations do the kind of work that we advocate for (i.e., equitable workforce programs) - and they see success- support them! Do not implement the same exact program from scratch, leverage the success of others for the betterment of our residents. Partnering with those who have a hand in the successful work will create a ripple of positive outcomes for residents. 

Not only do we strive to promote an equitable and inclusive workforce in Clean Energy, but beyond that as well. Climate Adaptive Careers will be the way of the future for our California communities and the opportunity for employment exists in our own backyards! “Seeing the vast changes happening to communities, and our industry, the scope is beyond clean energy now. A climate adaptive career actively works to combat climate related issues (from energy to ag) through equitable and meaningful practices. It is imperative that we educate all communities on the benefits that climate adaptive careers offer, but most of all that the opportunities for employment are accessible. Now how do we locate those local opportunities? What local organizations are we referring to?

Let us take Workforce Connection, an organization funded and directed by the Fresno Workforce Development Board. This organization “prepares the people in our community for careers in various industries that promote self-sufficiency, not just jobs to carry them through to the next paycheck. We do this by providing opportunities that build the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to meet employer needs and be competitive in the workforce of today.” Not only does the mission push towards equal opportunity, but it also understands (on a local level) that they must “concurrently assist our unemployed and underemployed residents to achieve a higher quality of life by access to such careers in growth industry sectors.”

In this case, climate adaptive careers can be identified as “growth industry sectors,” which delivers great news to the San Joaquin Valley. Workforce Connection highlights this opportunity by introducing career seeking individuals to organizations like GRID Alternatives or the EPA-funded Water Distribution and Treatment training. “GRID Alternatives has been able to provide the first entry-level career step into the sector for many; and has installed almost 1,000 affordable solar systems that are reducing usage during peak seasons and helping low-income families in our Central San Joaquin Valley save money every day.” Click here to read more about Workforce Connection’s success in the region and to understand firsthand just how local organizations have the ability to change to trajectory of people’s lives. The value of career training accessibility for rural, disadvantaged communities will not only provide a greater amount of opportunity to residents, but it will also keep up with the constant changes and innovations happening in our industry.