The New Jersey state government has set a goal to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035, but while promising to create good-paying jobs, minority business owners and employees might not be included. Observers note that although taxpayer-funded efforts will create employment opportunities, diversity is also necessary in the industry. In this regard, organizations such as PSEG and FirstEnergy have launched pilot externship programs to reach out to Historically Black Colleges & Universities and Hispanic-Serving Institutions to recruit diverse talent. They have also partnered with various organizations to build a workforce that embraces diversity as a powerful force for success.
Similarly, New Jersey Resources is committed to advancing and encouraging diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing that a diverse workforce can be a competitive advantage, enabling a broader range of ideas to be tapped into. The energy industry is undergoing a transition to cleaner forms of energy aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, but executing this transition in a way that keeps costs affordable and energy secure and reliable for families and businesses will take innovation and creativity, which will come from the diverse people in the industry.
