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Energy
Teaching Today Wisconsin | Spring/Summer 2025 Page 7

The Outlook for Energy Careers Remains Strong

22% from 2022 to 2032, among the fastest-
Careers in Biofuels growing occupations, with median earnings of
Biofuels technology involves the develop- $48,090 in 2024.
ment, production, and application of fuels derived
from organic materials, such as plants, algae, or Wind Energy Careers
animal waste. These fuels are used primarily Wind energy careers are dynamic and in-
for transportation, heating, or power generation demand, with 29% growth for technicians and
The field intersects with agriculture, chemistry, strong prospects for engineers, managers, and
engineering, and environmental science, creat- R&D roles.
ing roles for various skill levels and educational Wind energy careers encompass design-
backgrounds. The International Energy Agency ing, manufacturing, installing, operating,
(IEA) estimates that biofuels supported ~2 maintaining, and optimizing wind turbines
million jobs globally in 2023, with growth pro- and associated infrastructure, such as grid con-
jected as demand triples by 2030 to meet net-zero nections and storage systems. These roles are this field involve designing, constructing, oper-
goals. Careers are particularly strong in regions vital for scaling wind capacity, which grew by ating, maintaining, and upgrading substation
like the U.S., Brazil, the EU, and India, where 12% globally in 2023, and ensuring seamless equipment like transformers, circuit breakers,
biofuel production is scaling up. integration with solar and traditional energy in relays, and smart grid technologies. These
hybrid systems. The sector supports millions roles are essential for integrating intermittent
Solar Energy Careers of jobs, with wind accounting for a significant renewable energy sources, such as solar, into
The solar energy sector is experiencing share of the 13.7 million renewable energy jobs the grid while ensuring compatibility with tra-
Traditional Energy Careers rapid advancements in 2025, driven by tech- worldwide in 2023, and is projected to reach 42 ditional energy systems.
Traditional energy careers remain robust nological breakthroughs, policy support, and million by 2050. The outlook for careers in the energy
in 2025, with strong demand in oil, gas, and increasing global demand for renewable energy. sector in 2025 and beyond is promising, driven
nuclear, despite coal’s decline, supporting Solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity grew by 25% Modernizing Electrical Substations by global demand, technological advancements,
approximately 33 million jobs globally. These in 2023, with 2024 seeing 41 GW of utility- Aging infrastructure and the integration of and the ongoing transition to cleaner energy
careers support the reliable energy supply scale installations in the U.S. alone, accounting renewables require advanced substations with sources. The energy sector encompasses tra-
critical for hybrid energy systems, integrating for 66% of new electric capacity. The Interna- smart grid capabilities. ditional sources (oil, gas, coal, nuclear) and
with renewables and biofuels to ensure grid tional Energy Agency (IEA) projects solar could Electric power substations are hubs where renewables (solar, wind, hydro, geothermal,
stability and meet demand. Total traditional become the world’s leading electricity source by high-voltage electricity from power plants hydrogen), offering diverse opportunities across
energy jobs are projected to remain stable 2035, with global capacity exceeding 5,000 GW. (including solar farms) is stepped down for dis- engineering, technical, analytical, and manage-
through 2030. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) tribution to homes and businesses or stepped ment roles.
projects solar photovoltaic installer jobs to grow up for long-distance transmission. Careers in

ONE COLLEGE

MANY OPPORTUNITIES

START YOUR CAREER TODAY!

ENERGY PROGRAMS
▶ Biofuels Technology ▶ Powerline Technology
▶ Electric Utility Substation ▶ Solar Photovoltaic Technician
Technician ▶ Wind Energy
▶ Energy Technical Specialist

EXPLORE PROGRAMS
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800 - 658-23 30