With the rate of unemployment climbing, the green job sector seems to be attracting a lot of attention.
While the Detroit automakers cast about for public rescue funds, Hemlock Semiconductor Corp., based 80 miles away from Detroit, announced a $3 billion expansion that could add 500 more jobs to its current workforce of 1,400, reports Los Angeles Times. Hemlock makes materials used in solar technology semiconductors.
This follows a recent study and report from the University of Massachusetts that a $100 billion investment in a “green recovery” could create 2 million jobs within two years; with a large percentage of the jobs in retrofitting. This report has links to state by state green economy reports.
Here in Maryland this past July, 2008, a law was passed that all new construction and major renovation of building projects of at least 7,500 square feet that are funded solely with state funds must meet or exceed a Silver‐level rating in the LEED rating system or a comparable rating of another numerically‐based rating system. Effective July 2009, K‐12 public schools must meet the same standard..
OK, but what the heck is a green job, anyway?
In Maryland, the Governor’s Workforce Development Board (GWIB) has created list of specific job clusters in the Energy Industry :
Construction / Commercial
Construction Workers
Green Building Workers
Building Retrofit Workers
Skilled Trades
Construction / Residential
Energy Auditors
Remediation Technicians
Solar / Wind Installation Technicians
Weatherization Technicians
Electrical Transmission
Generation & Distribution
Powerplant Techs. (Fossil & Nuclear )
Line and Service Workers
Other Utility Workers
Small Business Start-Ups
Green Research and Development
Innovation Companies / STEM
Entrepreneurship / Innovation
Manufacturing
Greener Manufacturing Processes
Green Products
Solar and Wind Production
Here is a cool grid prepared by Bernie Reynolds at GWIB that lays out the job titles, numbers of slots, and potential earnings in Maryland. While if covers the whole Energy sector, you can see how many Solar and Wind installers and technicians will be needed. Of course, one of the biggest areas in “green” jobs will be the construction industry. To address this potential, the US Green Building Council has developed a new “Green Awareness” Accreditation, designed to be more applicable to construction workforce that the higher end LEED Certification.
To connect with the anticipated boom, consider joining a local chapter of the USCB, and explore an accreditation or solar technician training program. Go The American Solar Energy Society article How to Land a Green Collar Job for more detail.
-Dave
Other helpful job boards in the green economy:
· Renewable Energy World
· Sustainable Business
· Grist
· GreenBiz
· EcoJobs
· TreeHugger
· GreenJobs
· SustainJobs
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2 comments:
"With the oceans covering over 70% of the earth’s surface, they are the world’s largest collector and retainer of the sun’s vast energy – and the largest powerhouse in the world. Jacques Cousteau said it was equivalent to 16,000 nuclear plants. This energy is continually renewed and is available 24/7.Just a small portion of the energy conveniently stored in the oceans could power the world" ... these type of comments are posted by the experts who work with JustMeans... if you are an expert related to CSR, Green Jobs, Ethical Consumption, Clean Technology, Energy, Environment etc then please do share your thoughts, ideas and equally you can learn from others only at http://www.justmeans.com … JustMeans is a social media website with jobs, news and networks for people who create change. Companies and non-profits communicate their "green" initiatives, and people like me and you connect to businesses, organizations, influential bloggers and others interested in changing the world. JustMeans have big goals but not big egos.
Greening of existing jobs is occurring too in many areas like manufacturing...safety managers are frequently now multi tasked to be green coordinators so employees looking to create value in their jobs can look for the green requirements coming in their industry and get their company ahead of the curve...
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