The oil and gas sector has been providing a living for workers and their families for generations. But that is changing as the world moves to a net-zero economy. It isn’t a case of ‘if’ it happens – but when and are we ready.

The biggest challenges are finding ways to reduce emissions to reach our goals while making sure workers are treated fairly.  That also sums up the mission of Iron & Earth to “empower fossil fuel industry and Indigenous workers to build and implement climate solutions”.

Two pilot projects we completed last year lived up to that mission by training workers as they re-purposed inactive well sites into solar power generation sites.

In a poll commissioned by Iron & Earth in 2021, 88% of fossil fuel workers who responded were interested in training and upskilling to transition to a net-zero economy.

Shawn Hubbard was a worker who was ready for some of that additional training to make a career move. Through our RenuWell program he received hands-on experience installing a solar power generation system in southern Alberta. His career story has been much like the story of Iron & Earth – how to get out of the boom-bust cycle of the oil and gas industry and be an active part of climate solutions.

Shawn talked with freelance broadcaster Don Hill in this installment of our Renewable Conversations podcast.

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This blog is funded in part by the Government of Canada's Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program.