More Indiana Workers in Advanced Energy Than in Auto Parts Manufacturing, Nearly Double Those Working at Schools and Colleges — Strong 4% Growth Expected in 2019

Latest employment data shows growth of advanced energy jobs was four times the state’s overall jobs growth in 2018, with a 4% increase expected by employers for 2019

INDIANAPOLIS, August 26, 2019 — Today, business group Indiana Advanced Energy Economy (Indiana AEE) reported the latest employment data, which shows that Indiana has 90,600 people working in advanced energy. This represents significantly more workers than those in Auto Parts Manufacturing (64,873), and nearly double those working at Schools, Colleges, and Training Programs (52,217) across the Hoosier state. The U.S. employs 3.5 million people in advanced energy jobs nationally.

Overall, Indiana’s advanced energy jobs increased 4% last year, four times the state’s overall 1% jobs growth. The fastest growing segment was advanced vehicles, which experienced an 18% jump in jobs over the previous year.

“With 90,600 advanced energy jobs in Indiana and an expected 4% growth rate, advanced energy is a significant segment of Indiana’s workforce and economy,” said Caryl Auslander, Director with Indiana AEE. “Given the trends we see — strong demand for advanced energy technologies and plans by some Indiana utilities to invest in more renewables and energy efficiency — the state will continue to see positive economic impact.”

Other key Indiana employment details in the fact sheet produced by Indiana AEE’s national affiliate, Advanced Energy Economy (AEE), show:

• Energy efficiency led with more than 55,100 jobs or 61% of total advanced energy employment.
  
  
• Advanced vehicles reached 17,100 jobs (19% of total) and had the fastest growth, increasing 18% over the previous year.
  
  
• Top 5 counties were: Marion (17,700); Lake (6,300); Allen (5,600); Elkhart (4,600); and Hamilton (4,500).
  
  
• Strong 4% jobs growth is expected in 2019 by companies employing workers in the state.

“Indiana has long enjoyed low energy costs as a competitive advantage for corporate and industry operations, but electricity rates have been rising steadily for the past 15 years, undermining that competitiveness,” said Auslander. “Utilities like the Northern Indiana Public Service Co. are demonstrating that investment in advanced energy technologies like wind, solar, storage, and demand response benefit consumers to the tune of $4 billion.”

"Indiana AEE strongly supported the creation of the 21st Century Energy Policy Development task force this past session, in order for stakeholders and thought leaders to develop a statewide energy plan for Indiana,” added Auslander. “Our leaders have an opportunity to spur this growth with more options to help businesses around the state meet their renewable energy goals for 2020 and beyond. This is good for business, good for customers, and good for the State of Indiana.”

Data and Analysis: The employment figures above were derived from data collected for the 2019 U.S. Energy and Employment Report, produced by the Energy Futures Initiative (EFI) in partnership with the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) and collected and analyzed by BW Research Partnership, as well as data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

About AEE and Indiana AEE:
Advanced Energy Economy (AEE) is a national association of businesses that are making the energy we use secure, clean, and affordable. Advanced energy encompasses a broad range of products and services that constitute the best available technologies for meeting energy needs today and tomorrow. AEE’s mission is to transform public policy to enable rapid growth of advanced energy businesses. Engaged at the federal level and in more than a dozen states around the country, including Indiana, AEE represents more than 100 companies in the $238 billion U.S. advanced energy industry, which employs 3.5 million U.S. workers. Learn more at www.aee.net, track the latest news @AEEnet.