How do we solve the energy workforce dilemma? Illinois makes the case for strong state policy to fuel solar jobs for Gen Z. (Canary Media)
Illinois’ aggressive state mandates have propelled it to fourth in the nation for new solar capacity, adding over 815 MW in the first three quarters of 2025.
The surge is drawing young workers into training programs, where installers are eager to hire them to meet the demand for an estimated 15 GW of new solar capacity over the next half-decade.
While we’re here: Workforce issues are big. “We don’t have enough labor pools in this country for everything that’s coming…Electricians are king right now,” Oklo CEO Jacob DeWitte told Bloomberg yesterday, noting a shortage of skilled workers could hamper its nuclear infrastructure buildout.