The U.S. hydropower industry faces a “wave of retirements,” WPTO said, and these efforts are meant to help build the workforce needed to ensure this resource continues to provide renewable power across the country.
“While the U.S. hydropower industry is more than a century old, this resource still has significant untapped potential,” said WPTO director Matthew Grosso. “Realizing that potential requires paving the way for the next generation of hydropower workers and helping bring new professionals into the industry.”
More than a quarter of today’s hydropower industry workers will reach retirement age in the coming years. According to the report, U.S. Hydropower Workforce: Challenges and Opportunities, “major challenges” facing the hydropower workforce include near-term vacancies and increased demand for workers due to growing hydropower infrastructure and capacity in both conventional and pumped storage hydropower.
To support this growing need, the Hydropower Foundation will focus on:
Outreach to trades and apprenticeship programs
Outreach to universities, trade schools, community colleges, and other post-secondary institutions to address a need for engineering and other hydropower industry services
Support for an inclusive hydropower workforce by engaging with minority-serving institutions and Black, Hispanic, and Tribal professional organizations
Efforts to leverage and expand existing workforce development programs and partnerships such as the foundation’s Think Tank competitions, Waterpower Clubs, and Hiring for Hydro program
These efforts are intended to complement other WPTO-funded activities aimed at growing the hydropower workforce. For example, students and workers can consult the hydropower career map to understand paths in the industry for people with a range of technical and non-technical skills. WPTO’s Hydropower Collegiate Competition also aims to spread awareness and grow skills to better prepare students for careers in hydropower.
Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a process, and DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.
The Hydropower Foundation is a 501c3 not-for-profit organization dedicated to cultivating a robust, diverse, and environmentally conscious waterpower workforce through focused education, research, and experiential learning opportunities. The organization is dedicated to exponentially growing its workforce programs in the coming year. In June, Aimee Walker became program director for the Hydropower Foundation in the U.S., replacing Bree Mendlin. Mendlin resigned at the end of May after 10 years of service to take on a new position as project manager in the workforce and energy systems transformation group at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
