With expected shortfalls of 1-2 million unfilled jobs in science-, technology-, engineering- and math- (STEM-) related industries over the next decade, it will be imperative to attract and retain more people – including underrepresented populations – to join the STEM workforce. These future opportunities include high-tech and highly skilled jobs in energy and advanced manufacturing in active National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) research areas, such as advanced computing, new composite materials, novel manufacturing processes and innovative research related to fossil fuels. 

According to a 2017 Department of Commerce STEM jobs update report, in 2015, there were 9 million STEM workers in the U.S., and employment in STEM occupations grew faster than employment in non-STEM occupations over the last decade (24.4 percent versus 4.0 percent, respectively). STEM occupations are projected to grow by 8.9 percent from 2014 to 2024, compared to 6.4 percent growth for non-STEM occupations. These jobs typically offer higher pay, with STEM workers earning 29 percent more than non-STEM occupations in 2015. And, while typically thought of as requiring a four-year degree, many jobs in STEM, energy and advanced manufacturing are accessible with a community college degree.

The NETL Regional Workforce Initiative (RWFI) engages with regional community colleges to increase awareness of research and development at NETL and the future implications of these research breakthroughs for economic growth and the workforce in the Appalachian region. In the past, NETL has worked with the RAND Corp., releasing two studies looking at energy workforce needs in West Virginia and Pennsylvania and how regional community colleges are helping to prepare students for careers in the energy industry. Overall, the mission of NETL’s RWFI is to create a platform for the Laboratory, regional and national stakeholders, and other organizations to use in collaborative workforce development activities. The efforts complement energy and advanced manufacturing innovation and research conducted at NETL.

The Department of Energy (DOE), in recognition of increasing participation of underrepresented populations in energy careers, established several programs to increase student participation in energy careers and awareness of opportunities in energy. Each summer, NETL hosts students from across the country to conduct research through the Mickey Leland Energy Fellowship (MLEF) program. Created in 1995, the MLEF is an example of how DOE’s Office of Fossil Energy (FE) and NETL are preparing and supporting a diverse pipeline of future scientists, researchers and engineers for the U.S. energy workforce, which will meet the needs of projected increases in job opportunities in oil and natural gas.

Through DOE’s Women in STEM  and Women@Energy activities, the department provides outreach and resources to support increasing participation of women in energy careers. Similar to the MLEF, the Minority Educational Institution Student Partnership Program brings students into the national labs and to DOE headquarters for summer internships to learn about the research occurring throughout DOE.

To learn more about NETL’s RWFI efforts, subscribe to the NETL RWFI E-Note, a monthly publication for workforce and economic development stakeholders. The E-Note includes announcements on regional and national workforce-related funding opportunities, meetings and conference notifications, reports and resources, and other energy workforce-related information. For a subscription to RWFI E-Note, please email netl.rwfi@netl.doe.gov.

Contact:

• Shelley Martin, DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory, 304-285-0228, contact.publicaffairs@netl.doe.gov