Bridging the gap: how to help young people find their clean energy future
- Sarah Spragg
- Feb 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Feb 24
The future can feel overwhelming—climate anxiety, rising costs, and an ever-changing workplace. For young people looking ahead, the question isn’t just “What job will I have?” but “Will I find purpose and security in my work?”
Industries like clean energy aren’t the only ones grappling with uncertainty. The workforce of the future—today’s youth—are looking ahead, wondering:
Where is my place?
What will work look like for me?
How do I find a job that gives me purpose and provides a livable wage?
As someone who works with teenagers in rural southwestern Ontario, I hear these concerns constantly. They’re real. They matter. And most of all, young people are actively looking for guidance.
So how can the local clean-energy sector in Bruce-Grey respond? How can they help young professionals find their fit while also growing their workforce? There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but from my work with both students and industry, I have a few ideas.
Belonging and genuine connection
At the heart of workforce development lies a simple truth: young people need to feel like they belong.
In the NII Energy Co-op I lead, we don’t just introduce students to careers—we introduce them to people. Networking with industry partners, stepping into real workplaces, and seeing themselves in these companies matters. My team pushes students outside their comfort zone to make connections, ask questions and build confidence.
The problem? Many students assume industry professionals don’t really want to talk to them—they think, “I’m just a kid.” But that couldn’t be further from the truth.
The industry partners I work with genuinely want to empower youth, mentor them and create future opportunities. The key is bridging this gap through real, open conversations.
Students need to be open about their ambitions, questions, and fears. On the flip side, industry professionals need to share their own stories—how they got where they are, the barriers they overcame and the paths available.
I’ve seen firsthand how life-changing even a short conversation can be. A co-op student from our winter 2024 term told me, “I didn’t know these opportunities existed, and now I feel inspired to pursue a future in this field.”
That moment of clarity came from a 10-minute chat with an industry professional. It doesn’t have to be complicated.
A simple but powerful way industry partners have engaged students in our co-op? Saying things like:
“I’m excited to talk with you today, grow some new skills, and hopefully open some doors you may never have thought of before.”
Taking a few minutes for a 1-on-1 conversation, treating students with respect, and showing genuine interest in their future.
Even something as small as a handshake and a couple of thoughtful questions can make a student feel valued and connected to your organization.
Skill-building for the jobs of the future
The world of work is changing fast. AI, 5G, automation—these aren’t just buzzwords; they’re reshaping industries in real-time.
According to Paving the Way for the Future (2025), “the OECD found that only two jobs today require zero digital competency: dishwashers and food preparers”.
This shift means workforce development must evolve too. If we want to prepare young people for success, we need to rethink how we introduce them to skills that actually matter.
That’s why programs and experiences like the Energy Co-op focus on working directly with industry partners to run hands-on sessions where students learn the real skills professionals use daily. We don’t just throw abstract theory at them—we show them where the industry is going and what skills they need to get there.
The answer for industry? It's pretty straightforward:
Tell young people what skills you need and where you see work going.
Get into classrooms—both high school and post-secondary.
Connect academia to industry.
Teenagers aren’t going to show up at your company’s door with perfect confidence, fully prepared. They need direction, inspiration and a reason to believe they belong in the clean energy sector. That starts with industry reaching out first.
A bright future for clean energy workforce development
Work is changing, and that can feel daunting—for both young people and industry. But within that change lies massive opportunity.
The clean energy sector isn’t just building infrastructure—it’s building careers, futures and purpose for the next generation. I’ve already seen the incredible work being done by industry partners in our Energy Co-op, and I believe we’re only just getting started.
To every student, mentor and industry leader who has made the program a success: thank you. Your work is shaping the future of this industry and inspiring young minds to power forward.
Let’s keep the momentum going.
Sarah Spragg is a Program Design and Delivery Specialist on NII's Workforce Development team.
Comments