REV2024: Developing Vermont’s Renewable Energy Workforce
Wednesday, October 16th, 2024 – 2:00-3:00 p.m.
Vermont’s renewable energy industry needs to scale its workforce to meet load growth from electrification and finding qualified workers has been challenging. The state’s lower workforce participation rate post-pandemic, an aging population, and younger generations that aren’t large enough – leave the renewable energy industry unable to meet current workforce needs. Speakers will focus on the supply and demand side of workforce needs for Vermont’s renewable energy industry. What doesn’t work? How should we be expanding our search? How can we draw in more people to this industry?
Moderator: Martha Staskus, Chief Development Officer, Norwich Technologies
Martha has considerable project management and development expertise concentrated in renewable energy projects including site identification, land acquisition, feasibly, wind resource and environmental assessments, permitting, outreach and education services, and performance monitoring for wind and solar clients, electric utilities, regulatory agencies and landowners. In her previous role with VERA Renewables as Vice President, Martha was responsible for the development and permitting of over 5 MW of group net metered solar projects around the state and over 150 MW of utility-scale wind project in New England, including 4 out of Vermont’s 5 permitted wind projects.
Sponsored by Norwich Technologies
Speakers
Mark Somerville Co-Founder, Greenway Institute
Mark Somerville, PhD, joined Greenway College as inaugural president & co-founder this fall. A former founding faculty member, dean of faculty, and provost at Olin College, Mark is poised to leverage his experience and radically redesign engineering education in Vermont. Mark has dedicated his career to creating educational environments where students are co-creators in driving their own learning. At Greenway, he blending work-integrated education with a student-centered approach to ensure undergraduates leave with real-world experience, zero debt, and the sustainability skills and mindset the industry needs.
Sarah DeShaw Workforce Development, Beta
Sarah focuses on Workforce Development and Community Outreach at BETA Technologies, a Vermont-based aerospace company developing all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. At BETA, Sarah is responsible for focusing efforts on building concrete, skill-based workforce development initiatives. Sarah’s coordination of BETA’s internship program, High School Job Shadow Experience, school engagement initiatives, and Apprenticeship opportunities support BETA’s commitment to developing the next-generation workforce and creating high-paying, green jobs.
Missy Mackin Manager, Trailblazers Program Vermont Works for Women
Missy joined Vermont Works for Women in 2017. In 2019 she led the launch of Trailblazers and manages all aspects of the program from recruitment to job placement and support for women and female-identifying individuals interested in careers in the trades. In addition, Missy draws on her long experience as a teacher and facilitator to co-present gender equity workshops for employers.