2027 USEER Survey - Phone Mode Version

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OMB No. 1910-5179 Expiration 2030
Introduction: 
Hello, my name is ________ and I am calling on behalf of the United States Department of Energy (DOE). We are conducting a national survey about energy and related industries.  May I please speak to the person most knowledgeable about staffing and payroll at your current business location?
Is now a convenient time? [IF NO – Collect callback information and time]
This survey uses specific terms to describe various technologies and activities. If you require any definitions for clarification, please ask me at any time.
The survey is voluntary and should take an average time of about 45 minutes.  
 Your individual responses will not be published; only aggregated information will be used in reporting the survey results. DOE is required by law to keep your data confidential and use it only for statistical purposes. 
Your answers help show which jobs and skills are needed across the energy workforce. The results help decision-makers use their time and funding more effectively when planning training, hiring, and workforce development programs. (if respondent is unsure): This important survey addresses businesses that research, develop, manufacture, install or work with products that generate, distribute, store, use (in the case of motor vehicles), or save energy. 
(if respondent is unsure) This includes businesses that support the construction of manufacturing and warehousing facilities used to assemble and distribute energy products, as well as the build out of electric charging stations for electric vehicles and ports that are preparing or supporting offshore wind development or operations, or other energy-related work.
(if respondent is unsure): This includes business locations involved in energy production, energy efficiency products and services, other energy-related products and services, and motor vehicles.
(If needed): If you have any questions about DOE’s involvement in this survey, please contact [XXXX] at [XXX-XXX-XXXX]
Before we begin, I need to share a brief privacy and burden statement.
The U.S. Department of Energy is conducting this survey to better understand energy-related employment, workforce demographics, hiring needs, and the types of work being done across the energy sector.
Your answers will help industry, training organizations, community colleges, job seekers, federal agencies, and state and local partners better plan workforce development programs and investments.
Your participation is voluntary. You may skip any question or stop the interview at any time.
DOE will use your responses for statistical purposes only. DOE may combine your survey responses and needed business identifiers with other federal statistical or administrative data, where allowed by law and approved agreements. Any such linking will be done only for statistical purposes and under required confidentiality, security, and disclosure-review protections.
Your company’s identifying information will not be included in public reports. Published results will be combined with responses from other employers so that individual businesses or respondents are not identified. DOE does not expect to disclose your personal information except as required by law.
This information collection is approved by the Office of Management and Budget under OMB Control Number 1910-5179. The survey is estimated to take up an average of 45 minutes, including time to review instructions, gather information, complete the survey, and review your answers.
You are not required to respond to this collection unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number.
Comments about the burden estimate or ways to reduce burden may be sent to the Department of Energy and to the Office of Management and Budget using the contact information provided in the survey materials.
Do you have any questions before we begin?

SCREENER SECTION
    A. Respondent and Business Basic Information

A1: What is your role at this location? 
1 Human Resources
2 Payroll or Finance 
3 Owner, manager, proprietor
4 Other (specify)

A2. Does this business location have at least one employee in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, and District of Columbia? (Please count yourself as an employee if you are an owner-operated business or sole proprietor).
1	Yes [CONTINUE]
2	No [TERMINATE]

A3. For this survey, please only answer for your current business location. If your company has other U.S. locations, please do not include their data. What is the zip code of your current business location? [SHOW ADDRESS FROM SAMPLE FILE]
____________________ (Accept all five-digit responses)
(DON’T READ) Refused [TERMINATE]
B. ENERGY RELATED ACTIVITY SCREENER 

[INTERVIEWER NOTE: Ask about the business location sampled for this survey. If needed, say: “By business location, I mean the establishment or worksite at [ADDRESS]. Please do not include other company locations.”]
B1. Is this business location involved in any energy-related work?
By energy-related work, we mean work that directly supports energy products, energy services, energy facilities, or energy infrastructure. This includes the electric power sector, the fuels sector, and any transmission, distribution and storage activities; it also includes any energy efficiency activities, and motor vehicles and their parts. It includes any production, manufacturing, distribution, sales, installation, construction, operation, maintenance, or repair activities. It also includes any research, design, engineering, legal, financial, administrative, or other professional service activities for the energy industry. 
This can be all or part of the work at this location.
        1. Yes → GO TO B2
        2. No → ASK B2
        3. Not sure → ASK B2
        4. Don’t know/Not sure→ ASK B2
        5. Refused → TERMINATE
B2. ENERGY SECTOR ACTIVITIES SCREENER
To make sure I classify this location correctly, I’m going to ask about nine (9) types of energy-related activities your business location might perform. For each one, please answer yes, no, or not sure.
Please include work done directly by this business location.  For supply chain activities, please answer “yes” if this location manufactures, constructs, designs, or installs equipment, structures, parts, materials, or components used exclusively or primarily for that energy activity. 
For professional services activities, please answer "yes" if this location provides research, design, engineering, legal, financial, administrative, or other professional service activities for that energy activity. 
Is this business location involved in any of the following?
[INTERVIEWER NOTE: If needed, remind the respondent that, for each energy activity, any production, manufacturing, distribution, sales, installation, construction, operation, maintenance, or repair activity qualifies; research, design, engineering, legal, financial, administrative, or other professional services for the energy industry also qualify.]
a. Electric power generation
This means making electricity from any source, or designing, building, operating, maintaining, selling, or repairing equipment or facilities used to make electricity.
Yes / No / Not sure
b. Electric power transmission or distribution, incl. EV charging infrastructure 
This means moving, delivering, and controlling electricity, and includes electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Examples include transmission lines, distribution systems, substations, grid controls. 
Yes / No / Not sure
c. Storage, incl. EV batteries
This means technologies, equipment, and facilities that store energy or fuel for later use. This includes electricity storage and the storage of fuels.
Yes / No / Not sure
d. Energy efficiency
This means products or services that reduce energy use in buildings or equipment.
Yes / No / Not sure
e. Fuels
This means extracting, processing, refining, producing, storing, transporting, or distributing fuels. This also includes fuels transportation, distribution, and storage. 
Yes / No / Not sure
f. Motor vehicles
This means designing, producing, selling, maintaining, or repairing motor vehicles and other transportation technologies related to energy use.
Yes / No / Not sure
    g. Component Parts for Transportation Vehicles
This means designing, manufacturing, selling, distributing, maintaining, or repairing parts, components, or systems used in transportation vehicles, rather than complete vehicles. Examples include engine and drive parts, exhaust-system parts, body parts, and other vehicle components.
Yes / No / Not sure
    h. Process heat 
This means thermal energy used in industrial or manufacturing processes to make, treat, or change materials. 
Yes / No / Not sure
    i. Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) and its supply chain
This means capturing carbon dioxide from industrial facilities, power plants, or the air; transporting or using captured carbon dioxide; or storing it underground. It also includes equipment, facilities, and services used primarily for these activities.
Yes / No / Not sure

j. Other Energy-Related Activity
Does this business location perform any other energy-related work that I have not already mentioned?
    1. Yes — specify: __________________________ (RECORD VERBATIM)
    2. No
    3. Not sure
    4. Refused

[INTERVIEWER CODING AND ROUTING] 
If respondent answered “Yes” to any activity in Screener B2, code this business location as performing energy-related activity (B2 = Yes). Also code for specific categories, B2a = Yes, etc. Continue to SCREENER C.
If respondent answers “No” to all activities in B2 and does not specify any other energy-related activity:
Code this business location as no energy-related activity identified (B2=No), TERMINATE. 
If respondent answers “Not sure” to one or more activities in B2 and “Yes” to none:
code B = Not sure and route to eligibility review path or case review script. Do not terminate automatically.
If respondent answers “Other Energy-Related activity” in B2:
Record the verbatim response. Do not terminate automatically. Interviewer can continue to Screener C or route to eligibility review path depending on context.
IF Screener B =Yes go to next Screener question.
If Screener B = No, TERMINATE
Routing notes
    • Ask Screener C only if B2 = Yes and respondent reports more than one energy-related activity. 
    • If the respondent answered “Yes” to only one activity in Screener B2, do not ask Screener C. Auto-code that activity as the primary energy-related activity.
    • Pipe in only the categories marked “Yes” from Screener B2.
    • If “Other energy-related activity” was marked “Yes" in Screener B2, pipe in the verbatim response as “Other: [SPECIFY].”
    • Do not terminate Screener C if the respondent says “don’t know,” “not applicable,” or “no single primary activity.” Record the response. Route to case review path if needed.
C. PRIMARY ENERGY SECTOR SCREENER 
Earlier, you said this business location is involved in more than one energy-related activity.
Thinking only about this business location, which one accounts for the largest share of employee labor hours? Include activities that provide services or support energy activities.  
By labor hours, I mean the total time employees at this location spend doing the work. If you do not know the exact share, please give your best estimate.
[INTERVIEWER: Read only the activities marked “Yes” earlier in Screener B2. Accept one answer. Review Screener B2 descriptions and Definitions sheet if there is confusion about terms.]
    1. Electric power generation and its supply chain
    2. Electric power transmission and distribution, including electric vehicle charging stations and its supply chain
    3. Energy storage, including batteries and its supply chain
    4. Process heat production and its supply chain
    5. Energy efficiency, including heating, cooling, hot water, and building envelope work (if needed, this includes thermal or hot water solar) and its supply chain
    6. Fuels, including extraction, processing, refining, production, transportation, storage, and distribution, and its supply chain
    7. Transportation vehicles, including motor vehicles (IF NEEDED: Including industrial and agricultural vehicles, such as forklifts, tractors, and recreational vehicles, such as golf carts)
    8. Component parts for transportation vehicles
    9. Carbon capture, carbon utilization, or carbon storage, and its supply chain
    10. Other energy-related activity: [PIPE VERBATIM RESPONSE]
    11. No single primary activity, or activities are about equal
    12. Don’t know/Not sure (Go to C1)
    13. Refused
Ask C1 If respondent is unsure 
C1.  If the labor hours are close or you are not sure, please choose the activity that best describes the main energy-related focus of this location.
[INTERVIEWER: Re-read only the piped-in activities if needed. Accept one answer if the respondent can choose.]
    1. [PIPE ACTIVITY MARKED YES]
    2. [PIPE ACTIVITY MARKED YES]
    3. [PIPE ACTIVITY MARKED YES]
    4. No single primary activity / activities are about equal
    5. Don’t know/Not sure
    6. Refused

Ask C2 If “Other” is selected as primary activity in Screener C. 
C2. Please briefly describe the primary energy-related activity at this location.
RECORD VERBATIM:


[INTERVIEWER ROUTING: Route to case review if the “Other” response may fit one of the listed categories.]
Continue to next Screener if B2 = Yes.
[INTERVIEWER CODING]
Use the respondent’s answer to code the primary energy-related activity. Do not change the respondent’s answer during the interview unless the respondent clearly corrects it.
If the respondent cannot identify one primary activity, code:
    • 96 = No single primary activity / activities are about equal; or
    • 97 = Don’t know.

D. ENERGY TECHNOLOGY SCREENER
[Ask for each energy sector indicated from Screener B2] Which of the following [INSERT Screener B2 RESPONSE] technologies is your business location directly engaged with? This includes the construction, design, installation, and manufacturing of structures, components or equipment primarily used in the following activities. [READ LIST. RECORD ALL THAT APPLY.]
        1. Electric Power Generation (IF B2a=Yes) [RANDOMIZE]
Coal Generation
Oil and other Petroleum Generation
Nuclear Generation
Geothermal Generation
Solar Electric Generation [SET SOLAR=1]
Land-based Wind Generation
Offshore Wind Generation
Bioenergy/Biomass Generation
Hydroelectric Generation
Marine and Hydrokinetic Generation 
Natural Gas Generation
Combined Heat and Power
Other Generation (Specify)

        2. Electric Power Transmission and Distribution (IF B2b=Yes)  [RANDOMIZE]
Traditional Transmission and Distribution
Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Smart Grid
Micro Grids
Other Grid Modernization
Other (Specify)

        3. Storage (IF B2c=Yes or D1 = "Solar electric generation") [RANDOMIZE] [IF D1 = "Solar electric generation", say that this includes battery storage for solar generation.]
Pumped storage hydro-power storage
Battery storage [IF D1 = "Solar electric generation") say that this includes battery storage for solar generation)”
Mechanical storage (flywheels, compressed air energy storage, etc.)
Thermal storage
Liquefied natural gas 
Compressed natural gas
Crude oil
Refined petroleum fuels (liquid)
Refined petroleum fuels (gas)
Coal storage (piles, domes, etc.)
Biofuels, including ethanol and biodiesel
Nuclear fuel
Other gas fuel (Specify)
Other liquid fuel (Specify)
Other Storage
Other (Specify)

4. Energy Efficiency, Including Heating, Cooling and Building Envelope (IF B2d=Yes) ) [RANDOMIZE]

ENERGY STAR® Certified Appliances (not including HVAC)
ENERGY STAR Certified Heating, Ventilation, and Cooling (HVAC), except air-source and ground-source heat pumps
ENERGY STAR Air-Source Heat Pumps
ENERGY STAR Ground-source or geothermal heat pumps
Other high efficiency HVAC that are out of scope for ENERGY STAR certification (e.g. indirect evaporative coolers, air to water heat pumps, energy recovery systems, etc.)
Traditional HVAC goods, control systems, and services
ENERGY STAR certified water heaters
ENERGY STAR Certified Electronics (TVs, Telephones, Audio/Video, etc.)
ENERGY STAR Certified Windows, Doors, Skylights and Roofing 
ENERGY STAR Certified Insulation
Air sealing
ENERGY STAR Certified Commercial Food Service Equipment
ENERGY STAR Certified Data Center Equipment
ENERGY STAR Certified LED downlights 
Other LED, CFL, and efficient lighting
ENERGY STAR Certified Electric Vehicle Chargers 
Solar thermal water heating and cooling [SET SOLAR=1]
Other renewable heating and cooling (biomass, etc.)
 Advanced building materials/insulation
 Recycled building materials
Reduced water consumption products and appliances
Energy auditing services
Other (Specify)

	5. Fuels [IF B2e = Yes]
Which types of fuels is this business location directly involved with?
I will read the options. Please tell me all that apply. Include work done at this location or by employees who report to this location. This may include extracting, producing, processing, refining, manufacturing, storing, transporting, distributing, selling, installing, maintaining, or providing professional services that directly support these fuels.
[INTERVIEWER/PROGRAMMING NOTES: 
    • Do not randomize the three main groups: Fossil fuels, Biofuels and other renewable fuels, Nuclear fuel.
    • Within “Biofuels and other renewable fuels,” keep corn ethanol before other ethanol to reduce confusion.]
Fossil fuels
    1. Coal
    2. Petroleum fuels, including crude oil, gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, or other refined petroleum products
    3. Natural gas, including liquefied natural gas or compressed natural gas
    4. Other fossil fuel — specify: ______

Biofuels and other renewable fuels
    5. Corn ethanol
    6. Other ethanol or non-woody biomass fuels, such as ethanol made from sugar cane, straw, manure, vegetable oil, or animal fats
    7. Renewable diesel
    8. Biodiesel
    9. Woody biomass or cellulosic biofuels
    10. Waste fuels, including fuels made from municipal solid waste, landfill gas, or other waste feedstocks
    11. Other biofuel or renewable fuel — specify: ______

Nuclear fuel
    12. Nuclear fuel
Other 
    13. Other fuel, specify: ______________
    14. Not sure
    15. Refused

[Routing Notes: If Petroleum fuels is selected, ask 5a. If Natural gas is selected, ask 5b. If any fuel type is selected, use the selected fuel types in later primary-fuel and workforce allocation questions.]
5a. [Ask if Screener D5 Fuels = Petroleum fuels] Is this business location involved with onshore petroleum, offshore petroleum, or petroleum fuel transportation or distribution?
I will read the options. Please tell me all that apply.
    1. Onshore petroleum extraction, production, processing, or refining
    2. Offshore petroleum extraction, production, processing, or refining
    3. Crude oil or refined petroleum product transportation or distribution, including pipelines, terminals, wholesale distribution, or related logistics
    4. Other petroleum fuel activity — specify: ______
    5. Not sure
    6. Refused
5b. [Ask if Screener D5 Fuels = Natural gas] Is this business location involved with onshore natural gas, offshore natural gas, or natural gas transportation or distribution?
I will read the options. Please tell me all that apply.
    1. Onshore natural gas extraction, production, processing, or treatment
    2. Offshore natural gas extraction, production, processing, or treatment
    3. Natural gas transportation or distribution, including pipelines, utility distribution, liquefied natural gas, compressed natural gas, or related logistics
    4. Other natural gas activity — specify: ______
    5. Not sure
    6. Refused
[ASK IF Screener D5 FUELS = ONSHORE PETROLEUM, OFFSHORE PETROLEUM, ONSHORE NATURAL GAS, OR OFFSHORE NATURAL GAS]
5c. During the past 12 months, did this business location’s oil and gas field operations produce both crude oil and natural gas?
No
Yes
(DON’T READ) Don’t know/Not sure
(DON’T READ) Refused

6. Process Heat (IF B2h=Yes) What are the energy sources used for producing process heat? [RANDOMIZE]

I will read the options. Please tell me all that apply.
 
    1. Nuclear 
    2. Electricity
    3. Fossil Fuels 
    4. Renewable Energy 
    5. Waste Heat Recovery 
    6. Other (specify)
    7. (DON’T READ) Don’t know/Not sure
    8. (DON’T READ) Refused

    7. Transportation Vehicles, Including Motor Vehicles (IF B2f= Yes) [RANDOMIZE]
I will read the options. Please tell me all that apply.
    1. Gasoline and Diesel Motor Vehicles (excluding freight transport)
    2. Hybrid Electric Vehicles 
    3. Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles
    4. Battery Electric Vehicles
    5. Natural Gas Vehicles
    6. Hydrogen/Fuel Cell Vehicles
    7. Other (Specify _________)

    8. Component Parts for Transportation Vehicles (IF B2g=Yes) [RANDOMIZE]
I will read the options. Please tell me all that apply.
            1. Transportation Vehicle Engine & Drive Parts
            2. Transportation Vehicle Exhaust System Parts
            3. Transportation Vehicle Body Parts
            4. Other Transportation Vehicle Parts (Specify _______)

8a. Parts designed for alternative-fuel vehicles
Does this business location design, manufacture, sell, or distribute any vehicle parts or systems that are specifically designed for vehicles powered partly or entirely by an energy source other than gasoline or diesel?
    1. Yes
    2. No
    3. Not sure
    4. Refused

ASK 8b if 8a = Yes.
8b. Vehicle types supported by parts or products
For which of the following types of vehicles does this business location design, manufacture, sell, or distribute parts, components, or systems?
I will read the options. Please tell me all that apply.
INTERVIEWER/PROGRAMMING NOTE: For options 2 through 7, select the vehicle type only if the part, component, or system is specifically designed or modified for that type of vehicle. Do not classify a part as alternative-vehicle-specific if it is also commonly used without modification in gasoline- or diesel-only vehicles.
    1. Gasoline or diesel vehicles
    2. Hybrid electric vehicles, excluding plug-in hybrids
    3. Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
    4. Battery-electric vehicles
    5. Natural gas vehicles
    6. Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles
    7. Other alternative-fuel vehicles — specify: __________
    8. Other vehicle type — specify: __________
    9. Not sure
    10. Refused
    9. Carbon Capture, Utilization, Storage (IF B2i=Yes) [RANDOMIZE]
I will read the options. Please tell me all that apply.
    1. Carbon Dioxide Capture from industrial facilities, power plants, or air
    2. Transporting carbon dioxide
    3. Using captured carbon dioxide
    4. Storing carbon dioxide 
    5. Equipment, facilities, and services used for above activities
    6. Other (Specify _________)


[INTERVIEWER CODING or PROGRAMMING: 
Screener D Total = the total number of technologies selected. 
SET SOLAR= 1 if Screener D selected Solar Electric Generation or Solar thermal water heating and cooling]
[INTERVIEWER ROUTING: If Screener D TOTAL > 1, Ask DPRIME. If not, skip DPRIME] 
DPRIME.  Which of the following technologies is your business location PRIMARILY engaged with? [PIPE-IN RESPONSES FROM Screener D]
[INTERVIEWER NOTES: If respondent only identifies with one industry at screener D, use that industry for the remainder of the survey in place of “energy”.  If more than one, continue to use “energy.” Exception - if the only selection at screener D is “other” or “dk/na,” use “energy”.] 

E. BUSINESS ACTIVITY SCREENER
Which of the following business activities describe this business location’s work related to the [energy / Screener D] industry?
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: I will read each activity. For each one, please answer Yes, No, or Not sure.]
Include work done at this business location or by employees who report to this location. If this location supports more than one activity, answer Yes to each activity that applies.
1. Agriculture, forestry, or biomass feedstock production or related services

Yes / No / Not sure / Refused
2. Mining, extraction, or mineral processing

Yes / No / Not sure / Refused
3. Manufacturing, processing, refining, or assembling [energy / Screener D] goods, materials, equipment, parts, or components

Yes / No / Not sure / Refused
4. Construction, installation, retrofitting, or project-site services for [energy / Screener D] systems, facilities, or infrastructure

Yes / No / Not sure / Refused
5. Operations, maintenance, repair, or facility management for [energy / Screener D] systems, facilities, or infrastructure
Yes / No / Not sure / Refused
6. Utility services


Yes / No / Not sure / Refused
7. Wholesale trade, distribution, transportation, storage, or logistics for [energy / Screener D] products, equipment, fuels, materials, or components

Yes / No / Not sure / Refused
8. Research, development, testing, demonstration, or technical product-development services for [energy / Screener D]

9. Professional, business, administrative, financial, or legal services directly supporting [energy / Screener D]

Yes / No / Not sure / Refused
10. Education, training, workforce development, or certification services related to [energy / Screener D]

Yes / No / Not sure / Refused
11. Other energy-related support service — specify: __________
Yes / No / Not sure / Refused
12. Other energy-related business activity — specify: __________
Yes / No / Not sure / Refused

E1. PRIMARY BUSINESS ACTIVITY SCREENER
[INTERVIEWER ROUTING: Ask Screener E1 if more than one response in Screener E = Yes.]
Which of the business activities you selected in the previous question is this business location’s primary [energy / Screener D] activity, based on the largest share of labor hours performed at this location?
[PIPE IN ONLY Screener E = YES RESPONSES. ACCEPT ONE.]
    1. Agriculture, forestry, or biomass feedstock production or related services
    2. Mining, extraction, or mineral processing
    3. Manufacturing, processing, refining, or assembling [energy / Screener D] goods, materials, equipment, parts, or components
    4. Construction, installation, retrofitting, or project-site services for [energy / Screener D] systems, facilities, or infrastructure
    5. Operations, maintenance, repair, or facility management for [energy / Screener D] systems, facilities, or infrastructure
    6. Utility services
    7. Wholesale trade, distribution, transportation, storage, or logistics for [energy / Screener D] products, equipment, fuels, materials, or components
    8. Research, development, testing, demonstration, or technical product-development services for [energy / Screener D]
    9. Professional, business, administrative, financial, or legal services directly supporting [energy / Screener D]
    10. Education, training, workforce development, or certification services related to [energy / Screener D]
    11. Other energy-related support service — specify: __________
    12. Other energy-related business activity — specify: __________
    13. No single primary activity / activities are about equal
    14. Not sure
    15. Refused
[Programming note: Set SEPRIME based on Screener E If only one response in Screener E = Yes, or set SEPRIME to Screener E1 response.]
(END OF SCREENER SECTION)

SECTION 1: EMPLOYMENT & BUSINESS ACTIVITY
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTIONS: Read the location-assignment rule once. Keep the examples available as interviewer help, and do not read every inclusion and exclusion unless the respondent needs clarification. “Remote” does not mean “unattached to an establishment.”]
Employee reporting instructions
For the next questions, report workers associated with this business location during the pay period that included [REFERENCE DATE].
For employees on your organization’s payroll, include employees assigned to this business location in payroll or human resources records, whether they worked:
    • At this location;
    • From home or another remote location;
    • Under a hybrid work arrangement;
    • At customer or project sites;
    • In the field; or
    • Temporarily at another location.
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: Read the remaining instructions only if the respondent needs clarification.]
If your records do not assign an employee to a business location, count the employee here if the employee’s primary manager or work unit is based at this location.
Do not count employees assigned to another business location, even if they occasionally work at or receive support from this location. Count each person only once.
1.1A Employees on this organization’s payroll
During the pay period that included [REFERENCE DATE], how many full-time and part-time employees were on your organization’s payroll and assigned to this business location?
Include:
    • Regular or permanent employees;
    • Temporary or seasonal employees on your organization’s payroll;
    • Employees on paid leave; and
    • Employees working remotely, under a hybrid arrangement, at customer sites, or in the field if they were assigned to this location.
    • Owner-operators and sole proprietors 
Do not include independent contractors or people employed and paid by another organization.
An estimate is acceptable if an exact count is not readily available.
Number of payroll employees: ______
None / Zero
Not sure
Refused
1.1B Regular or permanent employees
Of the [INSERT 1.1A] employees on your organization’s payroll, how many were regular or permanent employees?
By regular or permanent employees, we mean employees whose jobs did not have a planned end date. Include both full-time and part-time employees. Also include owner-operators and sole proprietors.
Number of regular or permanent employees: ______
None / Zero
Not sure
Refused
[Programming check: Q1B should be less than or equal to Q1A]

1.1C Self-employed workers and independent contractors
During the same pay period, how many self-employed workers or independent contractors personally performed work for this business location and were paid directly by your organization?
Include remote or off-site independent contractors if their work was primarily managed by or performed for this business location.
Do not include:
    • Employees on your organization’s payroll;
    • People employed and paid by a staffing, consulting, or other outside organization; or
    • Businesses that only supplied goods or occasional services.
An estimate is acceptable.
Number of self-employed workers or independent contractors: ______
None / Zero
Not sure
Refused
1.1D Workers employed by another organization
During the same pay period, how many people employed and paid by another organization were assigned to perform work for this business location?
Examples include workers supplied by:
    • A temporary-help or staffing agency;
    • A union hiring hall;
    • A professional employer organization; or
    • A consulting or service company.
Include remote, hybrid, field, or off-site workers only if they were primarily assigned to perform work for this business location.
Do not include people who provided only occasional or shared services to several company locations, such as outside legal counsel, delivery personnel, or routine repair vendors.
An estimate is acceptable.
Number of workers employed by another organization: ______
None / Zero
Not sure
Refused
INTERVIEWER CALCULATION: Derived total workforce 
Do not ask the respondent for a separate total unless confirmation is needed.
Calculate:
Total people working for this business location = Q1.1A + Q1.1C + Q1.1D
Temporary and seasonal employees on this organization’s payroll are already included in Q1A and must not be added separately.
Optional confirmation:
Based on your answers, approximately [AUTO-SUM] people worked for this business location during the reference pay period. Is that approximately correct?
Yes
No — revise an earlier answer
Not sure
Refused

1.2 Energy Worker count
Of the [Take Q1B] full-time and part-time permanent employees at your current location, how many of these workers support the [energy/ Screener H] portion of your business? Please note that your response should include administrative staff supporting the energy portion of your business.
[INTERVIEWER NOTE: read if needed]
Support workers are defined as those individuals that spend any amount of time, directly working on energy-related projects including administrative support workers]
			Record # of employees ___________
 (DON’T READ) Don’t know/Not sure
(DON’T READ) Refused

[INTERVIEWER CHECK: Q3 SHOULD BE LESS THAN OR EQUAL TO Q1.]
1.3. Energy-related employee count 12 months ago
Instructions
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: Read these instructions the first time this employee universe is used. Do not reread unless the respondent requests clarification.]
Use the same employee definition and location-reporting rule used for Q1.2.
Count full-time and part-time regular or permanent employees assigned to this business location in payroll or human resources records. Include employees who work remotely, under a hybrid arrangement, in the field, or at customer or project sites if they report to this location.
Include employees who spent any amount of time supporting the [PIPE IN ENERGY or SCREENER D or DPRIME ACTIVITY], including administrative and support employees.
Count each employee only once.
During the pay period that included [INSERT REFERENCE DATE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE CURRENT REFERENCE DATE], how many full-time and part-time regular or permanent employees assigned to this business location supported the [PIPE IN ENERGY / SCREENER D ACTIVITY] portion of the business?
Your best estimate is acceptable if an exact count is not readily available.
Number of employees: ______
This business location was not operating at that time
Not sure
Refused
[Programming notes:
    • Use an exact reference date rather than displaying “12 months ago.”
    • If the survey already establishes that the business location began operating after the past reference date, skip 1.3 and code “Location not operating.”
    • A reported zero means that the location was operating but had no qualifying employees.
    • Do not treat “Location not operating” as zero.
    • Accept whole numbers greater than or equal to zero.]

1.4 Energy-focused employee count
Thinking of your [INSERT 1.2] energy employees, how many spend at least half of their time supporting the energy portion of your business?
	 	Record: _______
1.5: Regulatory and Environmental Compliance
[Ask if Q1.2 > 0.]
For the next questions, regulatory compliance means work performed to meet, document, or directly support compliance with government laws, regulations, permits, licenses, or other regulatory requirements.
Do not count employees only because their regular work must follow regulations. Count employees who directly perform or support compliance work.
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: Read the examples only if needed.] (optional, only if needed) Examples include permitting or licensing; required monitoring, testing, inspections, recordkeeping, or reporting; environmental compliance; workplace safety compliance; and legal, engineering, administrative, or other work directly supporting regulatory compliance.
1.5A Regulatory and environmental compliance employees
During the 12 months ending [REFERENCE DATE], about how many of the [INSERT Q1.2] energy-related employees at this business location:
a. Spent any working time directly performing or supporting regulatory compliance matters?
Number of employees: ______
b. Of those employees, how many directly supported environmental compliance activities?
Number of employees: ______
Your best estimate is acceptable.
None / Zero
Not sure
Refused
(optional, only if needed) Environmental compliance includes environmental permitting; required monitoring, testing, recordkeeping, or reporting related to emissions, discharges, wastewater, waste, or other environmental requirements; and work directly supporting pollution-control, treatment, monitoring, or compliance equipment or facilities.
[Programming checks: Q1.5Ab ≤ Q1.5Aa ≤ Q1.2.]
1.5B Employees spending a substantial portion of their time on regulatory compliance
[Ask if Q1.5Aa > 0.]
For this survey, a substantial portion means at least half, or 50 percent, of an employee's working hours.
Of the [INSERT Q1.5Aa] employees who performed or supported regulatory compliance work, about how many spent at least half of their working hours on regulatory compliance matters during the past 12 months?
Number of employees: ______
None / Zero
Not sure
Refused
Your best estimate is acceptable.
[Programming check: Q1.6B ≤ Q1.6Aa.]
1.5C Average hours spent on regulatory compliance
[Ask if Q1.6Aa > 0.]
On average during the past 12 months, about how many hours per week did each of these [INSERT Q1.6Aa] employees spend on regulatory compliance matters?
Average hours per employee per week: ______
Your best estimate is acceptable.
Not sure
Refused

1.6 Business Activity Measure
Now I need one measure of the amount of [energy / Screener B2] work done at this business location. This will be used to compare employment across similar business locations, such as workers per megawatt, workers per barrel, workers per ton, workers per square foot, or workers per dollar of construction value.
Which of the following measures is most relevant and easiest for this business location to report for its [energy / Screener B2] work? Please choose the measure that best matches your business records. If more than one applies, choose the one most directly related to the work of the employees you reported earlier.
    1. Amount produced, processed, generated, distributed, sold, installed, repaired, or serviced during latest calendar year, such as barrels, cubic feet, tons, megawatt-hours, units, vehicles, systems, or components
    2. New capacity or infrastructure added, built, installed, or placed in service during latest calendar year, such as megawatts added, chargers installed, miles built, or square feet constructed
    3. Capacity in service at the end of latest calendar year, such as megawatts, megawatt-hours, barrels per day, tons per year, or square feet
    4. Construction value, investment value, or project value for work completed during latest calendar year, in dollars
    5. Energy-related revenue or production value during latest calendar year, in dollars
    6. Another measure that better describes this business location’s activity: Specify __________
    7. No single measure applies
    8. (DON’T READ) Don’t know/Not sure
    9. (DON’T READ) Refused

1.6A What was the amount for that measure?
If an exact amount is not available, a best estimate from operations, production, project, finance, or business records is acceptable.
Record number: __________
Record unit: __________
Record calendar year: __________

[IF OPTION 3 SELECTED] Report capacity in service as of end of latest calendar year.
[IF OPTION 1, 2, 4, OR 5 SELECTED] Report the amount for last calendar year.

SECTION 2: WORKFORCE PROFILE

[ROUTING: If Screener B2 COUNT > 1, ASK 2.1]
2.1. Thinking of your [Take 1.2] [energy/ Screener B2] workers at your location, please classify them in the following categories using approximate percentages. If a worker spends time in more than one type of energy activity, please assign them to the activity that they spend more time on.
[PIPE IN SCREENER B2 RESPONSES] 
	Screener B2 Category:____________  Record approx. percentage ______
Screener B2 Category:____________  Record approx. percentage ______
Screener B2 Category:____________  Record approx. percentage ______
Etc.
	(DON'T READ) Don’t know/Not sure
	(DON'T READ) Refused
[INTERVIEWER CHECK: BUILD CHECK SO 2.1 TOTAL MUST = 100%]
[ROUTING: IF Screener B2 = Electric Power Generation and Screener D.1 > 1 response, ASK 2.3 OTHERWISE SKIP]
[INTERVIEWER NOTE: USE 1.2 IN PLACE OF 2.1 IF SELECTED COUNT AT SCREENER B2 WAS ONE (ONE CHOICE)] 
2.3 Thinking of your [PIPE IN 2.1 or 1.2 GENERATION ANSWER] energy generation workers at your location, please classify them in the following categories. You can use approximate percentages to categorize them in the technology area where they spend the most time.
[PIPE IN SCREENER D.1 RESPONSES]
Screener D.1 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.1 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.1 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.1 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
[ROUTING: IF Screener B2 =  Electric Power Transmission and Distribution, including electric vehicle charging stations and Screener D.2 > 1 response, ASK 2.4, otherwise skip]
2.4 Thinking of your [PIPE IN 2.1 or 1.2 response] energy transmission and distribution workers at your location, please classify them in the following categories.  You can use approximate percentages to categorize them in the technology area where they spend the most time.
[PIPE IN SCREENER D.2 RESPONSES]
	Screener D.2 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.2 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.2 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.2 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
[ROUTING: IF Screener B2 =  Storage, including electric vehicle batteries and Screener and D.3 > 1 response, ASK 2.5, otherwise skip]
2.5 Thinking of your [PIPE IN 2.1 or 1.2 response] storage workers at your location, please classify them in the following categories.  You can use approximate percentages to categorize them in the technology area where they spend the most time.
[PIPE IN SCREENER D.3 RESPONSES]
	Screener D.3 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.3 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.3 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.3 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
[ROUTING: If Question 2.5 > 0 for Screener D.3 = "Battery Storage"  ask 2.6]
2.6 Thinking of your [PIPE IN Question 2.5 count for F.3 = "Battery Storage"] battery storage workers at your location, please classify them in the following categories. You can use approximate percentages to categorize them in the battery storage application category where they spend the most time.
Consumer devices: Record approx. percentage ______ 
Vehicles or other transportation: Record approx. percentage ______ 
Buildings or industrial facilities: Record approx. percentage ______ 
Electric Grid: Record approx. percentage ______ 
Other (Specify): Record approx. percentage ______ 
[ROUTING: If Screener B2 = Energy Efficiency and Screener D.4 > 1 response, ask 2.7, otherwise SKIP]
2.7 Thinking of your [PIPE IN 2.1 or 1.2 response for ENERGY EFFICIENCY count] workers in energy efficiency, including heating, cooling and building envelope, please classify them in the following categories.  You can use approximate percentages to categorize them in the technology area where they spend the most time.
[PIPE IN SCREENER D.4 RESPONSES]
	Screener D.4 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.4 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.4 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.4 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
	[ROUTING: If Screener B2 = Fuels and Screener D.5 > 1 response, ask 2.8, otherwise SKIP]
2.8 Thinking of your [PIPE IN 2.1 or 1.2 response for FUELS count] fuels-related workers at your location, please classify them in the following categories.  You can use approximate percentages to categorize them in the technology area where they spend the most time.
[PIPE IN SCREENER D.5 RESPONSES]
	Screener D.5 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.5 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.5 Category: ______________ Record approx. percentage ______
[ROUTING: If Screener B2 = Transportation Vehicles and Screener D.7 count is more than 1 response, ask 2.9, otherwise SKIP]
2.9 Thinking of your [PIPE IN 2.1 or 1.2 response for TRANSPORTATION VEHICLES count] motor-vehicle related workers at your location, please classify them in the following categories.  You can use approximate percentages to categorize them in the technology area where they spend the most time.
[PIPE IN SCREENER D.7 RESPONSES]
Screener D.7 Category: ____________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.7 Category: ____________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.7 Category: ____________ Record approx. percentage ______
[ROUTING: If Screener B2 = Component Parts for Transportation Vehicles and Screener D.8 count is more than 1 response, ask 2.10, otherwise SKIP]
2.10 Thinking of your [PIPE IN 2.1 or 1.2 response for COMPONENT PARTS count]  component parts workers at your location, please classify them in the following categories.  You can use approximate percentages to categorize them in the technology area where they spend the most time.
[PIPE IN SCREENER D.8 RESPONSES]
Screener D.8 Category: ____________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.8 Category: ____________ Record approx. percentage ______
Screener D.8 Category: ____________ Record approx. percentage ______

Demographic questions 
2.11 Gender composition
Thinking of your [Take 1.2 count] [energy/ Screener B2] employees, how many are:
        a. Men: Record # employees ____________
        b. Women: Record # of employees _________
        c. (DON’T READ) Don’t know/Not sure
        d. (Don’t Read) Refused

[CHECK: 2.11 a+b must = 1.2 count]
[ROUTING: If business location has qualifying energy activities (B1=1) ask 2.12, and continue through rest of Section 2 and all of Section 3]
2.12 Racial/Ethnic composition
 2.12A. Availability of race and ethnicity information
You previously reported [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT FROM Q1.2] [PIPE IN ENERGY / SCREENER B2] employees.
Is race and ethnicity information based on employee self-identification available in this business location’s payroll, human resources, or other records for:
    1. All of these employees
    2. Some of these employees
    3. None of these employees
    4. Not sure
    5. Refused
[Routing:
    • If Q2.12A = All or Some, ask Q2.14B.
    • If Q2.12A = None, Not sure, or Refused, skip Q2.14B.
    • If Q2.12A = None, record that race and ethnicity information was unavailable for all [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT] employees.]
2.12B. Race and ethnicity of employees
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: Read the introductory counting rule, then read each race and ethnicity category name separately. Keep the examples available as interviewer help and read them only if the respondent requests clarification.]
Using employee self-identification information in your payroll, human resources, or other records, how many of the [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT] [PIPE IN ENERGY / SCREENER B2] employees are identified with each of the following race and/or ethnicity categories?
Count an employee in every category shown in your records. For example, if an employee is identified as both Hispanic or Latino and White, include that employee in both counts.
Because an employee may be counted in more than one category, the counts may add to more than [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT].
Do not guess or identify employees based on their name, appearance, language, or other characteristics. If exact counts are not readily available, your best estimate based on available records is acceptable.
Race and/or ethnicity category
Number of employees
American Indian or Alaska Native—
______
Asian—
______
Black or African American—
______
Hispanic or Latino—
______
Middle Eastern or North African—
______
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander—
______
White—
______
Information not available in the seven categories
Record status
Number of employees
Recorded only as multiracial, multiethnic, or “two or more races,” but the specific categories are not available
______
Race and/or ethnicity information is unavailable or cannot be mapped to the categories above
______
Not sure
Refused
[Programming instructions
    • Allow whole numbers from zero through [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT] in each field.
    • Do not require the seven race and ethnicity counts to add to the employee total.
    • Do not display an error if the seven counts add to more than the employee total.
    • Do not treat either of the two record-status rows as a race or ethnicity category.
    • Do not combine “multiracial or multiethnic” with “Other.”
    • Preserve the reported counts before any editing or imputation.
    • Record whether the response was based on records covering all employees, some employees, or no employees.
    • Do not impute an employee’s race or ethnicity from name, address, occupation, geography, or other survey answers.]
2.13 Workforce characteristics 
For the next questions, “these employees” means the [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT FROM Q1.2] [PIPE IN ENERGY / SCREENER B2] employees reported earlier.
Include only employees included in that earlier count. Use payroll, human resources, or other business records when available. If exact counts are not readily available, your best estimate is acceptable.
For veteran status and disability status, report only information available in your organization’s records or voluntarily provided by employees. Do not infer these characteristics from an employee’s name, appearance, age, job, or other information.
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: Repeat the short universe reminder at the beginning of every question: “Of the [X] [energy sector] employees you reported earlier, how many…” Longer definitions should be available as interviewer help but read only when needed. Avoid administering the entire module as one continuous list.]
[INTERVIEWER/PROGRAMMING NOTE: Education and age should each add to the employee total because their categories are mutually exclusive. Veteran status, union coverage, and disability must not be added together because the same employee may appear in several of those measures.]
2.14A. Highest level of education
Of these [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT] [PIPE IN EMPLOYEE DESCRIPTION] employees, how many had each of the following as their highest completed level of education as of [REFERENCE DATE]?
Count each employee once.
Highest completed level of education
Number of employees
High school diploma, GED or other high school equivalency, or less
______
Some college, but no degree or postsecondary certificate
______
Postsecondary vocational, technical, or academic certificate or diploma, but no associate degree or higher degree
______
Associate degree
______
Bachelor’s degree or higher
______
Education information not available
______
Not sure
Refused
[Programming check: The entries should add to [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT]]
2.14B. Age Characteristics
Of these [INSERT Q1.2 EMPLOYEE COUNT] [PIPE IN EMPLOYEE DESCRIPTION] employees, how many were in each of the following age groups as of [REFERENCE DATE]?
Count each employee once.
Age group
Number of employees
Under age 30
______
Ages 30 through 54
______
Age 55 or older
______
Age information not available
______
Not sure
Refused
[Programming check: The entries should add to [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT].]
2.14C. Veteran status
Based on voluntary employee self-identification or information in your organization’s records, how many of these [INSERT Q1.2 EMPLOYEE COUNT] [PIPE IN EMPLOYEE DESCRIPTION] employees were veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces?
For this question, a veteran is someone who previously served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Include members of the Reserve or National Guard only if they were called to active duty.
Number of employees: ______
None / Zero
Information not available in organization records
Not sure
Refused
[Programming check: The entries should be less than or equal to [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT].]
[INTERVIEWER HELP: Do not substitute a count of “protected veterans” if the organization’s records do not identify all veterans.]
2.14D. Union or labor-agreement coverage
How many of these [INSERT Q1.2 EMPLOYEE COUNT] [PIPE IN EMPLOYEE DESCRIPTION] employees were represented by a labor union, covered by a collective bargaining agreement, or working under a project labor agreement as of [REFERENCE DATE]?
Count each employee once, even if more than one type of representation or agreement applies.
Number of employees: ______
None / Zero
Information not available in organization records
Not sure
Refused
[Programming check: The reported number must be less than or equal to [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT].
2.14E. Disability self-identification
Based on voluntary employee self-identification in your organization’s records, how many of these [INSERT Q1.2 EMPLOYEE COUNT] [PIPE IN EMPLOYEE DESCRIPTION] employees had identified themselves as having a disability?
Do not limit your answer to employees who requested or received a workplace accommodation. Do not infer disability status.
Number of employees: ______
None / Zero
Information not collected or not available in organization records
Not sure
Refused
[Programming check: The reported number must be less than or equal to [INSERT EMPLOYEE COUNT].

SECTION 3 – HIRING, RECRUITMENT, AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT NEEDS
Instructions
The next questions ask about hiring and recruitment for the [PIPE IN ENERGY / SCREENER B2] employees associated with this business location.
For these questions, include full-time and part-time regular or permanent employees assigned to this location.
Use the 12-month period ending [REFERENCE DATE].
Use payroll, human resources, applicant-tracking, or other business records when available. If exact information is not readily available, your best estimate is acceptable.
3.1 Employees hired
During the 12 months ending [REFERENCE DATE], how many [PIPE IN ENERGY / SCREENER B2] employees were added to the payroll at this business location?
Include:
    • New employees;
    • Rehired employees;
    • Employees who transferred to this location from another company location; and
    • Employees who were hired and later left during the 12-month period.
Do not include:
    • Promotions or transfers within this business location;
    • Independent contractors;
    • Workers paid by a temporary-help or staffing agency; or
    • Consultants or other workers paid by another organization.

Number of employees hired: ______
None / Zero
A number is not available, but an estimate can be provided
Not available separately for these employees
Not sure
Refused
If “an estimate can be provided” is selected:
What is your best estimate?
Estimated number of employees hired: ______
Programming note: If zero employees were hired, do not automatically skip the recruitment questions. The location may have recruited for positions that remained unfilled.
3.2 External recruitment
During the same 12-month period, did this business location actively recruit applicants from outside this location for any [PIPE IN ENERGY / SCREENER B2] positions?
Include positions that were filled and positions that remained unfilled.
Active recruiting may include posting a job opening, accepting applications, interviewing candidates, attending job fairs, or using recruiters or employment agencies, or otherwise seeking candidates.
    5. Yes
    6. No
    7. Not sure
    8. Refused
Routing
    • If Yes, ask 3.3 through 3.6.
    • If No, Not sure, or Refused, skip to the next applicable section.

3.3 Overall recruiting difficulty
Overall, how difficult was it to find qualified applicants for the [PIPE IN EMPLOYEE DESCRIPTION] positions this business location tried to fill during the 12 months ending [REFERENCE DATE]?
    1. Very difficult
    2. Somewhat difficult
    3. Not too difficult
    4. Not at all difficult
    5. Difficulty varied too much by position to give one answer
    6. Not sure
    7. Refused
Routing
Ask 3.4 if the response is Very difficult, Somewhat difficult, or Difficulty varied too much by position.

3.4 Positions that were most difficult to fill
Which one or two job titles or occupations were the most difficult for this business location to fill?
Include a position even if it remained unfilled.
Position 1: __________________________
Position 2, if applicable: __________________________
No other position
Not sure
Refused
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: Record the respondent’s wording. Do not require the respondent to identify a Standard Occupational Classification code.]
3.5 Recruitment difficulties by position
[Repeat for each position reported in 3.4.]
Thinking about [Q3.4 JOB TITLE(S)], which of the following made the position difficult to fill?
I will read each item. For each one, please answer Yes, No, or Not sure.
    1. Few or no applicants applied
    2. Applicants lacked the required occupational or technical skills
    3. Applicants lacked a required license, certification, or credential
    4. Applicants lacked the required work experience
    5. Applicants lacked the required education or training
    6. Applicants did not meet work schedule, travel, location, physical, security, or other job requirements
    7. Applicants’ pay or benefit expectations exceeded what this business location could offer
    8. Qualified applicants declined an offer or accepted another job
    9. The recruitment or hiring process took longer than expected
    10. Another difficulty—specify: __________________
    11. Not sure
    12. Refused

Programming notes
    • Allows more than one response.
    • Does not include speculative reasons such as retirement, caregiving responsibilities, or leaving the labor force unless the business directly collected that information from applicants.
    • For phone administration, read the categories as separate Yes/No/Not sure items or record the respondent’s initial open-ended answer and field-code it.

3.5A Specific qualification or skill
[Ask if 3.5 includes a skills, credential, experience, education, or training response.]
What specific skill, qualification, credential, or type of experience was most difficult to find for [INSERT JOB TITLE]?
[OPEN TEXT]
Not sure
Refused
3.6 Prolonged or unfilled openings
During the 12 months ending [REFERENCE DATE], was any [3.4 JOB TITLE(S)] position open for 90 days or more or still unfilled at the end of the period?
    1. Yes
    2. No
    3. This business location does not track this information and cannot estimate it
    4. Not sure
    5. Refused


3.7 You reported [insert 3.1] employees hired at your business location over the last 12 months. Of these [insert 3.1] positions, how many: 
a.	Were newly created positions?
	Record # of employees ___________
b.	Were hired to replace workers due to turnover or retirement?
	Record # of employees ___________


3.8 Registered Apprenticeship Programs
Now I’m going to ask about Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
A Registered Apprenticeship Program is an apprenticeship program that has been registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or a State Apprenticeship Agency. These programs combine paid work experience, on-the-job learning, related classroom or technical instruction, mentorship, and a nationally recognized credential.
Of the [INSERT Q1.2 #] energy employees who worked at or reported to this business location during the past 12 months, would you estimate that none, a few, some, most, or all employees participated in or completed a Registered Apprenticeship Program? 
(if needed) Do not include informal on-the-job training, internships, pre-apprenticeship programs, or other training programs unless they were part of a Registered Apprenticeship Program.
    1. None
    2. A few
    3. Some
    4. Most
    5. All or almost all
    6. (DON’T READ) Don’t know/Not sure
    7. (DON’T READ) Refused

3.9 Workforce partnerships and collaborations
The next question asks about organizations or programs this business location worked with to recruit, hire, train, or retain employees.
Include both formal partnerships, such as a written agreement or contract, and informal collaboration, such as referring applicants, providing training, sharing facilities or instructors, or coordinating workforce programs.
During the 24 months ending [REFERENCE DATE], did this business location work with any of the following organizations or programs to recruit, hire, train, or retain employees?
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: Ask each type as a separate Yes, No, or Not sure item.]
    1. A federal, state, local, or Tribal government workforce system
    2. A community college, technical college, trade school, or vocational school
    3. A four-year college or university
    4. A private training provider or industry training organization
    5. A union-run Registered Apprenticeship Program
    6. A non-union Registered Apprenticeship Program
    7. Another apprenticeship, earn-and-learn, internship, or work-based learning program
    8. A labor union or other labor organization
    9. Another workforce organization or program—specify: __________
    10. This business location did not work with any of these organizations or programs
    11. Not sure
    12. Refused

Programming notes
    • “This business location did not work with any” is exclusive.
    • Do not use the word “partner” without the explanation above.
    • Ask about the sampled business location, not partnerships that applied only to another company location.

SECTION 4 — ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ADOPTION AND USE
The next questions are about artificial intelligence, or AI, used for work at this business location during the six months ending [REFERENCE DATE].
Some questions may be easier for someone familiar with information technology, operations, engineering, digital tools, or workforce planning at this location.
AI0. Respondent knowledge
Are you familiar enough with AI or AI-enabled software and systems used at this business location to answer these questions?
    1. Yes
    2. Yes, but I may need information from another employee
    3. No, another person would be better able to answer
    4. Not sure
    5. Refused

[PHONE ROUTING]
    • If AI0 = 2, allow the respondent to consult another employee or schedule a callback.
    • If AI0 = 3, collect the knowledgeable person’s name, title, telephone number, email address, and preferred callback time.
    • Do not require completion of the AI section by a respondent who says they are not knowledgeable enough to answer.

AI definition and location-reporting rule
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: Read the first paragraph and the rule about centrally managed systems. Read the examples and exclusions only if the respondent needs clarification.]
For this survey, AI means software or computer systems that can recognize patterns, make predictions or recommendations, understand or generate language, images, or computer code, or otherwise perform tasks that usually require human judgment.

AI1 . AI used in business functions or operations
During the six months ending [REFERENCE DATE], did this business location use AI in any business function, operational process, or energy-related activity?
Include centrally managed AI systems if they were used by employees assigned to this location or supported work performed at this location.
    1. Yes
    2. No
    3. Not sure
    4. Refused

Derived variable:
ANY_AI_USE = Yes if AI1A = Yes 
AI2. Areas in which AI was used
[Ask if AI1 = Yes.]
During the six months ending [REFERENCE DATE], in which of the following areas did this business location use AI?
I will read five areas. For each one, please answer Yes, No, or Not sure.
    1. Operations, production, and supply chain activities, including manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, repair, purchasing, transportation, storage, distribution, or logistics
    2. Research, engineering, information technology, and data activities, including design, modeling, product or process development, software development, cybersecurity, data management, or data analytics
    3. Quality, safety, environmental, legal, or regulatory activities, including quality control, inspection, permitting, environmental compliance, or other regulatory compliance
    4. Sales and business support activities, including marketing, customer service, public communications, finance, accounting, strategy, business development, management, administration, human resources, recruiting, staffing, or employee training
    5. Other business function or energy-related activity — specify: __________
Response options for each:
    1. Yes
    2. No
    3. Not sure
    4. Refused

AI3A. Effect on total employment
[Ask if ANY_AI_USE = Yes.]
Overall, what effect, if any, did AI use have on the total number of employees assigned to this business location during the six months ending [REFERENCE DATE]?
    1. Increased total employment
    2. Decreased total employment
    3. Did not measurably change total employment
    4. Too soon to tell
    5. Not enough information to answer for this location
    6. Refused

[INTERVIEWER HELP: This question asks about the net number of employees, not whether particular employees’ tasks changed.]
AI3B. Effects on hiring and employee assignments
[Ask if ANY_AI_USE = Yes.]
During the same six-month period, did AI use lead to any of the following changes in hiring or employee work assignments at this business location?
I will read the options. Please tell me all that apply.
    1. Hired employees with AI or related technical skills
    2. Reduced hiring for entry-level or junior positions
    3. Reduced hiring for other types of positions
    4. Changed the skills or experience required for open positions
    5. Reassigned current employees to different tasks or roles
    6. Other hiring or workforce change — specify: ______
    7. AI use did not affect hiring or employee work assignments
    8. Too soon to tell
    9. Not enough information to answer for this location
    10. Refused

Programming notes: “AI use did not affect hiring or employee work assignments” is exclusive. “Too soon to tell” is exclusive. Do not require AI3A and AI3B to indicate the same type of effect. For example, AI may reduce entry-level hiring without changing total employment.

SECTION 5 - OCCUPATION STAFFING MODULE (SECURE WEB HANDOFF)
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: Do not administer this module by telephone. Respondents completing the earlier sections by phone must complete the occupation staffing module through a secure web handoff. Respondents who cannot access the web module will not be able to complete this section.]
Respondent transition: The next section asks how the energy-related employees at this location are distributed across occupations. Because the section uses an online occupation search and staffing tool, it is completed on the web. I will provide the secure survey link for this section.
[INTERVIEWER ROUTING: After providing the web handoff information, continue to Section 6. Do not attempt to administer the occupation lookup or staffing grid by telephone.]
Section 6 – Interview/Survey Wrap-up
Thank you for completing the survey. Since it sometimes becomes necessary for the project manager to confirm responses to certain questions, please verify your contact information. 
[INTERVIEWER INSTRUCTION: If pre-filled contact information is available, read it back as needed and ask, “Is this information correct?”]
da. First and Last Name (Interview note enter 99 for REF)
	1. First Name
	2. Last name
db. Position (Interview note enter 99 for REF) 
dc. Phone (Interviewer Note 9999999999 for REF)
dd. Email (Interview note enter 99 for REF)
de. Organization Name (Interview note enter 99 for REF)
df. Organization Street Address (Interview note enter 99 for REF)
dg. Organization City (Interview note enter 99 for REF)
dh. Organization State (Interview note enter 99 for REF)
di. Organization Zip (Interviewer Note 99999 for REF)
Thank you very much for your time.
[INTERVIEWER CODING: HOW DID THE SURVEY END?
	1  COMPLETED INTERVIEW
	2  SURVEY SAID THEY DID NOT QUALIFY
	3  CALLBACK NEEDED, PARTIAL
	4  REFUSAL
	5  SOMETHING ELSE

PLEASE DISPOSITION CALL CORRECTLY.]