Talent shortages pose critical challenges to emerging industries. The newer the sector, the fewer experience executives possess knowledge of the industry. As Peter Rothstein and Paul McManus noted in an op-ed earlier this year, recruitment of top-level executives is an ongoing issue in the clean energy industry.
The Council designed its Clean Energy Fellowship Program to fill this identified workforce gap of trained executives in the clean energy sector. Through the Council’s program, seasoned executives are introduced to core knowledge, contacts, and tools to transition into the dynamic and growing clean energy industry. After two successful Fellowship Programs in 2008 and 2009, the Council partnered with the Boston University School of Management to morph the Fellowship into an Executive Certificate Program.
The new Program entitled Leading Clean Energy Ventures commenced February 3, 2011. Throughout the Leading Clean Energy Ventures Program, the Fellows are introduced to a range of clean energy policies, technologies, and sectors. In addition, the Program provides many avenues for the Fellows to connect with leaders in the clean energy community through mentorship, networking events, and capstone projects.
I’ve had the privilege of working with this year’s fantastic class of Fellows, and I wanted to share a few facts about the them:
- Collectively, the Fellows have 245 + years of professional experience
- 67% have advanced degrees
- 62% have experience in start-ups
- They represent 10 different industries
- 40% have previous experience in the energy industry
Currently, the Fellows are working on their capstone projects, a key element to the skill building segment of the program. Each Fellow is required to select a capstone project mid-way through the program and then present their project on the final day, April 28th. The Council linked each Fellow with key leaders in the New England Clean Energy community to provide feedback and guidance on their projects. The Fellows’ capstone projects represent a vast variety of the clean energy industry and include green bank financing, market strategies for new technologies forming out Boston University’s research labs, innovative materials for wind turbines, energy efficiency start-ups, and organic waste-to-power.
Many of the Fellows were able to participate in the Leading Clean Energy Ventures program through scholarships generously funded by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
