Expanding tomorrow’s clean energy workforce through educational partnership
Ana Lopenowski, Senior Sustainability Analyst Salt River Project (SRP)
“I am passionate about educating the workforce of tomorrow on the exciting opportunities in the clean energy sector. This is an area that has grown quickly and is slated to grow even more so in future years. Hands-on and experiential learning opportunities are an excellent way of providing students with exposure to these critical jobs.” - Ana Lopenowski
Background
We are faced with a need to prepare the next generation with applicable skills for the renewable energy jobs of the future.
Research Approach
Broaden and refine an existing renewable workforce development program by contributing to:
- Mentorship and experiential learning opportunities.
- Professional development resources.
- Additional collateral materials on existing opportunities.
- Ongoing exploration of future workforce needs and how to meet them.
Methods and findings
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Provide mentoring opportunities and experiential learning opportunities to students in the Phoenix Union High School District.
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Conduct research on the program and outcomes.
Ana Lopenowski
Senior Sustainability Analyst, Salt River Project (SRP)
Community Fellow, 2023
Ana Lopenowski is a Senior Sustainability Analyst at Salt River Project (SRP) in the Sustainability Policy & Programs department. She is proud of her work on the 2035 Sustainability Goals, SRP Green Team and a variety of other sustainability-focused projects she has had the privilege of working on in her 6 ½ years with SRP.
Her KER project focuses on clean energy sector workforce development and finding opportunities for high school students from valley Title I schools to learn more about this exciting and rapidly developing sector. For her project, she has partnered with the Arizona Sustainability Alliance (AZSA) and their Clean Energy Workforce Development program to provide mentoring opportunities and experiential learning opportunities to the students, conduct research on the program and outcomes, and complete a report that will assist in growing the opportunities made available through the program. Ana believes in the importance of envisioning tomorrow’s bright future, today.
Prior to working at SRP, Ana completed her Masters in Science and Technology Policy from ASU’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society and has previously worked at the Arizona Legislature. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking and spending time with her husband and son.