Energy Efficiency (Buildings)
Where and to what extent is the demand for jobs in energy efficient construction and building retrofits growing?
Why it’s challenging: Growing building energy efficiency demand requires a whole set of skills and roles related to building electrification, spanning many job titles and skills, but roles are often vague, overlapping, and may not be well represented in job postings. Therefore, we have created a set of “indicators” that are aimed at more accurately capturing demand.
ELM Indicators
What is it: Number of job postings for Architects that require LEED certifications (including LEED and LEED AP).
Why it matters: Tracking LEED certification demand within Architect roles is important because these certifications provide a recognized framework for creating high-performing and cost-effective buildings. This highlights the growing importance of sustainable design in the architecture profession.
What is it: Number of job postings for building automation systems technicians and similar alternative job titles
Why it matters: Tracking BAS Technicians is important as they ensure that complex building automation systems operate efficiently and reliably. BAS Technicians have a wide variety of alternate titles that we have compiled into one group to better track demand.
Ratio = Building Automation Technician ÷ HVAC Jobs Group
The ratio of the number of job postings for Building Automation Technicians compared to total job postings in the HVAC Group
The ratio of the number of job postings for Building Automation Technicians compared to total job postings in the HVAC Group
Why it matters: The ratio of BAS Technicians to HVAC roles helps identify the “technological” intensity of the building sector, with a higher ratio likely pointing to increased demand for more sophisticated energy efficiency skills.
What is it: Number of job postings for Construction Managers.
Why it matters: Tracking all Construction Manager postings provides the baseline needed to compare against energy-efficiency-focused roles. This contrast shows how much of the profession is shifting toward sustainable building practices and gives context for the intensity ratio.
What is it: Number of job postings for Construction Managers that include a focus on energy efficient building.
Why it matters: Energy management certifications are important for Construction Managers as they provide knowledge in energy-efficient building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and insulation, enabling managers to make better technical and design decisions. The certifications also provide expertise in energy consumption metrics and energy audits, allowing them to influence projects with data-driven insights.
Ratio = CM with EF Focus ÷ Construction Managers
The ratio of Construction Managers (Energy Efficiency Focused) to total Construction Managers to identify the EE intensity in the construction sector.
The ratio of Construction Managers (Energy Efficiency Focused) to total Construction Managers to identify the EE intensity in the construction sector.
Why it matters: Energy management certifications are important for Construction Managers as they provide knowledge in energy-efficient building systems, such as HVAC, lighting, and insulation. This expertise enables managers to make better technical and design decisions, while skills in energy consumption metrics and energy audits allow them to guide projects with data-driven insights.
What is it: Number of job postings that reference energy auditing certifications. Including Certified Energy Auditor, ASHRAE, BPI.
Why it matters: Energy auditors help buildings and industries reduce energy waste and lower operational costs by identifying inefficiencies and recommending energy-saving solutions. Because energy auditing is usually not identified at the job title level, tracking certifications provides a more reliable proxy for demand across roles.
What is it: Number of job postings requiring Energy Manager Certifications. Including Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP), Certified Energy Manager (CEM), Facility Management Professional (FMP), or Building Operator Certification (BOC).
Why it matters: Another way to track the growth in demand for energy management roles and skills is through a group of critical energy management certifications. These include the Certified Energy Manager (CEM) and the Certified Building Commissioning Professional (CBCP), among others that are required across roles.
What is it: Number of job postings for Energy Managers and alternative titles.
Why it matters: Energy managers help optimize energy use, implement efficiency strategies, and monitor energy consumption. They also have a range of alternate titles we’ve combined into one group to better track demand.
Ratio = Energy Management Certification ÷ Energy Managers
The ratio of Energy Management Certifications to total Energy Managers identifies the relative demand for certifications.
The ratio of Energy Management Certifications to total Energy Managers identifies the relative demand for certifications.
Why it matters: The ratio of job postings requiring Energy Management Certifications to total job postings for Energy Managers helps track the demand for advanced skills. While an Energy Manager is a functional job title, the certifications credential provides third-party validation of skills related to energy audits, building systems, and renewable energy.
What is it: Number of job postings for a variety of related HVAC roles (HVAC Installer, HVAC Technician, HVAC Journeyman, etc.)
Why it matters: HVAC systems are important to the energy sector because they are major energy consumers, representing a substantial portion of energy use in buildings and industries. While individual HVAC roles can have distinct meaning, job titles are often used interchangeably. For this reason, we created an aggregate group of top HVAC roles into one time series to track demand for HVAC related work.
What is it: Number of job postings that include heat pump certifications, skills, and keywords.
Why it matters: Heat pumps provide highly efficient, all-electric heating and cooling by transferring heat rather than generating it, resulting in significant energy savings. Because heat pump installation is usually not identified at the job title level, tracking certifications and related skills across roles serves as a reliable proxy for demand in this growing technology area.
