Building Sustainable Workforce in IRA Era—How to Fill the Skilled Trades Gap

“Good jobs don’t just happen—we build them." Today, I want to talk about how the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) is reshaping workforce development—not just in theory, but in practice.

Over the next 7–10 minutes, I’ll break down three key points: why workforce development is central to the IRA, how apprenticeships are creating pathways to high-quality jobs, and what businesses, labor organizations, and policymakers need to do next to ensure success. We’ll explore how the IRA’s incentives for registered apprenticeships are driving a shift toward a more skilled and equitable labor force, particularly in clean energy and advanced manufacturing. More importantly, we’ll discuss the real-world impact—how these policies translate into opportunities for workers and challenges for employers navigating new requirements.

But this isn’t just a policy conversation—it’s about people. It’s about equipping workers with the skills they need to thrive in a changing economy, ensuring underrepresented communities have access to these opportunities, and making sure the clean energy transition doesn’t leave anyone behind.

By the end of this talk, I hope to leave you with a clearer understanding of the workforce revolution happening right now—and how we can all play a role in making it a success.