Clean Energy Education and the Energy Transition Agenda

Awareness of the effects of global warming has become mainstream and drives the need to reduce dependence on fossil fuels.The urgency to transition to clean energy (CE) sources is apparent.Growth in rapidly developing clean energy technologies and their manufacturing industries drives increased demand for graduates trained in these areas.CE Education is the evolution of traditional disciplines to educate candidates to meet the demand for technicians to support the global energy transition away from fossil fuels.Engineering and technology education must be designed to prepare students with skills for energy sector employment.Students will be involved in designing, manufacturing, managing, and implementing CE technology during their careers.This literature review serves as an introduction to the intersecting bodies of knowledge that promote changes to engineering technology curricula focusing on CE Education.The current landscape needs a social justice frame of reference to examine equal access to CE educational investments, engaging underserved communities, and placing candidates in living wage jobs.CE education intersects workforce, industry, and education, so exploring their motivations gives insight into common goals and how to promote collaboration.Similarly, reviewing organizational change theories suggests how to enact progress in CE education pathways.Establishing CE Education programs is challenging because alternative energy technology and sustainability are multi-disciplinary topics and don't fit under any single discipline.Educational theories are explored to frame effective ways to present CE education in the rapidly evolving and multi-disciplinary field.Finally, evaluating current government and business environments regarding CE gives awareness of the market forces, support, and demand for promoting education in CE.The review concludes by identifying best practices and serves as an action plan for establishing CE education pathways.