Building the Solar Workforce: Union Labor's Role in the Energy Transition | Creating Workforce|EP221
In this episode of the Clean Power Hour, host Tim Montague sits down with Dane Simpson, Director of LECET (Laborers' and Employers' Cooperation and Education Trust), to explore the vital role of labor unions in constructing the gigawatts of solar needed for the energy transition. Dane elucidates how organizations like LECET and LIUNA (Laborers' International Union of North America) are fostering the growth of the solar industry in the Midwest. The conversation delves into the significance of project labor agreements and apprenticeship programs, highlighting how union contractors can benefit from ready access to skilled labor and valuable industry connections.
Dane and Tim discuss the challenges of meeting labor demands in a rapidly expanding industry, particularly in light of the Inflation Reduction Act and state-level initiatives like Illinois' Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Dane shares insights on LECET's multifaceted approach to bringing more people into the trades, including pre-apprenticeship programs, career fairs, and innovative recruitment strategies. The episode provides listeners with valuable information on the advantages of becoming a union contractor, the specific roles laborers play in solar projects, and how LECET supports both contractors and developers.
Throughout the discussion, Dane emphasizes LECET's crucial role in providing project leads, education, outreach, and industry advancement for union contractors. He also touches on their advocacy work in supporting renewable energy projects during zoning and approval processes. The conversation includes mention of upcoming solar projects, such as the Collins Aerospace installation in Rockford, IL. This comprehensive episode offers important insights into the intersection of organized labor and the clean energy transition, making it a valuable resource for developers, EPCs, and anyone interested in the future of solar construction.
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00:00 Introduction and Welcome
02:31 About Dane Simpson and LECET
04:57 Understanding IRA and CEJA Requirements
08:13 Explaining EC and EP Designations
09:38 What It Means to Be a Union Contractor
14:05 The Tri-Trade Agreement in Solar Construction
16:24 Bringing New People into the Trades
20:18 Apprenticeship Program Details
24:06 Laborers' Scope of Work in Solar Projects
25:00 Advantages of Becoming a Union Contractor
28:10 LECET's Role in Project Zoning and Approval
29:31 Understanding Project Labor Agreements (PLAs)
31:56 Closing Remarks and Contact Information
