Fuel Cell Industry – Careers for the Non-Technical Jobseeker
by Jennifer Gangi, Fuel Cells 2000
With demonstrations and advancements being made left and right, the fuel cell industry is booming and with this explosion comes the increased need for qualified employees. The fuel cell and fuel cell component manufacturing field calls for a great supply of science and technology types – engineers, researchers, and manufacturers. Fuel cells could create new markets for steel, electronics, electrical and control industries and other equipment suppliers. They could provide tens of thousands of high-quality jobs and reduce trade deficits. The consulting firm Arthur D. Little estimates that each 1,000 MW will create 5,000 jobs. If just 20 percent of cars used fuel cells, 800,000 jobs would be created. But non-science people - liberal arts majors, business students, HVAC technicians, and mass transit drivers and mechanics - can also reap the job opportunities that are arising with this renewable technology.
Fuel cell cogeneration units (200kW in size) are currently in use at utility power plants, hospitals, schools, banks, office buildings, and even an airport terminal. Architects will need to design buildings to incorporate fuel cell power plants as commercialization advances. Many companies are demonstrating fuel cell systems for residential use; so homebuilders will need to know the proper installation. Since a fuel cell unit could either be connected to an electric grid to provide supplemental power and backup assurance for critical areas, or installed as a grid-independent generator for on-site premium service, electricians, home repair persons, and utility maintenance workers are going to be crucial once fuel cells are installed in more buildings and homes.
As fleets of fuel cell buses and vehicles expand, the demand for drivers and mechanics will, too. Places like SunLine Transit Agency (www.sunline.org) are looking for people to repair their fuel cell and natural gas buses, as well as drivers to take over new routes that they are adding with every new addition to the fleet.
Of course, as the number of employees grows, there will be the need for a human resources manager and staff to deal with expanding personnel and company employment policies. Accountants, information officers, and computer technicians are all necessities when staff additions are made and equipment is needed.
With new companies emerging every day in the fuel cell industry and mergers joining big name corporations, there will soon be competition for products, creating the need to advertise. Some companies do marketing, PR and advertising all in-house, so a Marketing, English or Communications degree and experience can prove valuable in the fuel cell world. Technical writers create user manuals and white papers for products, since all hardware and software products come with instructions, warranties and company information. Companies are patenting technology as soon as it leaves the labs, so the right documentation is extremely important. With the growth of the Internet has come many online publications and email newsletters that cover the renewable energy field, including fuel cells. So, another avenue to pursue is with one of the many science and/or environmental magazines, as an editor, writer or even a freelance contributor.
This emergence of these new companies will also spark the investment industry, since IPOs will most likely occur and the creation of fuel cell stock portfolios draw investors. Venture capitalists can also spur the industry, funding smaller companies and fuel cell start-ups.
Working in the fuel cell industry without working at a fuel cell company can be a lucrative path to take. Many companies hire consulting firms to do market studies and field research. Different majors can find a niche doing research or consulting work, studying renewable energies and their place and impact on the environment and the economy. Environmental firms do scientific experiments testing the benefits of fuel cells, in regards to emissions, efficiency, and overall value and report the data to fuel cell companies.
Many government agencies like the Department of Energy, the California Air Resources Board, and Argonne National Laboratories are hiring staff to work on fuel cell research, environmental initiatives and renewable energy projects. Many state and federal government offices are looking for employees with liberal arts backgrounds for communications and outreach. Universities and secondary schools will be adding more fuel cell specific courses to their curriculums, so professors and science teachers who are knowledgeable about the subject will be a hot commodity.
So even if you didn't study electrochemical engineering or haven't brushed up on your polymers and fluid flows, you can still land a great job in the fuel cell industry. Anyone who cares about the environment and renewable energies can find a place working with this exciting technology, be it in the field as an electrician, installer or repair person, or in the office as a media specialist, accountant, analyst, or human resource manager. There are jobs to be had, and plenty more to come. Take it from me, I was an English major.
