Full Title: An Evaluation Framework for State Energy Offices’ Energy Efficiency and Clean Energy Workforce Programs
Author(s): Rohini Srivastava, Roxana Ayala, Robin Tuttle, and Allison Moe
Publisher(s): National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date: April 10, 2024
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Description (excerpt):
In this paper, they propose a workforce evaluation framework that state energy offices (SEOs) can use to track and measure the progress, performance, and effectiveness of the energy efficiency and clean energy workforce programs that they fund and/or implement. They start by summarizing how SEOs currently report workforce program outcomes; review existing energy efficiency and clean energy workforce program components, evaluation metrics, and evaluation methods; and based on the findings, propose an evaluation framework that SEOs can use to measure their programs’ progress and refine them for maximize impact. The evaluation framework includes guiding questions that offer insight into the ways the program is performing, determine if a program’s goals, objectives, and activities were effective or ineffective, and help identify ways to adjust the program to better align outcomes with goals. The appendix includes a suggested definition for energy equity; a list of evaluation metrics to assess program goals, objectives and activities; and tools and resources to augment or develop program components.
This paper is intended to offer a comprehensive and research-based examination of evaluation as it relates to SEOs’ workforce efforts. Future efforts are planned to develop a follow-on resource, tailored for easy application by SEOs.