Jackie Robinson, a construction vocational instructor in Philadelphia, is passionately advocating for the clean energy industry, which currently employs over 3.3 million people and continues to grow, offering numerous job opportunities. However, Robinson is concerned about the lack of public understanding around clean energy careers.
“Many low-income individuals are completely unaware of the existence of these jobs. The key is to raise awareness,” Robinson said.
In addition to expanding the essential workforce, reliable job opportunities can help reduce recidivism rates. Robinson himself transitioned to the clean energy sector while he was incarcerated, eventually joining the nonprofit Energy Coordinating Agency.
Having been sentenced to 27 years for drug trafficking, Robinson was driven to turn his life around for the sake of his three young children. He used his time in prison to learn new skills, ensuring he could support his kids once he was released.
International building equipment company Johnson Controls offers programs in prisons, where Robinson was first introduced to the energy industry. There, he learned how to repair refrigerators, heating systems, and air conditioning units. Many individuals, including Robinson, secured jobs with Johnson Controls upon their release.
Speaking about his experience at the Energy Coordinating Agency, Robinson noted, “This has transformed the entire financial structure of families. As people in the community earn more, the quality of life in the area improves, including housing and everything else.”
Bob Keefe, Executive Director of the non-partisan business group Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), emphasized the urgent demand for skilled workers. “There is a tremendous need for this type of labor, and organizations that can train these workers are in high demand as well,” he said.
Keefe pointed out that the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 provides tax incentives for heat pumps, solar panels, and clean energy manufacturing, which is projected to create over 109,000 new jobs. Heat pumps can be installed anywhere, meaning every state requires these skilled laborers.
“I remember trying to install a heat pump at home a few years ago and couldn’t find anyone knowledgeable about the technology. In the end, I had to figure it out myself,” Keefe recounted.
The Energy Coordinating Agency trains over 200 individuals each year to become building analysts, solar panel installers, and commercial HVAC technicians, offering these courses free of charge. Low-income residents from nearby communities can also seek assistance through this organization.
Robinson expressed the fulfillment he feels in seeing former students, who once felt excluded, begin working to support their families. “I learned a skill from my job, and I can pass that skill on to the next generation, ensuring our livelihood and increasing generational wealth,” he said.
