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Green Jobs in the News
Stimulus Job Watch Yahoo! HotJobs
4/2009
'Green-Collar Jobs': Two Rell Directives Would Create Environmentally Oriented Projects Hartford Courant
3/2/2009
Conference Highlights Growing Sectors, Skills Burlington Free Press
3/23/2009
Federal Energy Initiatives Buoy Hopes of Job Hunters The New York Times
3/23/2009
  

Green jobs ahead - trained workers needed!

That's what's on the horizon right now, even as our nation works through the current economic downturn.

Green jobs and careers involve new and better ways of conducting work activities that benefit the environment, such as through reductions in waste and pollution and excessive energy use.

In general, Green jobs and careers are supported by on-going discoveries and developments in GreenTech (Green Technology), also known as CleanTech (Clean Technology) and EnviroTech (Environmental Technology). GreenTech uses science and technology to achieve more environmentally friendly, sustainable economic growth and development. GreenTech envisions a clean energy economy that relies less on carbon-based energy and more on:

  • Renewable and other alternative energy sources,
  • Improved efficiencies in energy use, and
  • Enhanced preservation and restoration of the natural environment.

Green jobs and career opportunities are already part of many industries, and will continue to grow in numbers and importance in the immediate years ahead. The recently enacted economic stimulus legislation, for example, is expected to give a boost to the creation, retention, and transformation of up to 400,000 Green jobs in the next several years.

As the United States and the world moves towards a greener economic future, the U.S. employment outlook can be expected to be affected in three primary ways:

  • New Green jobs and careers will be created - such as in renewable and alternative energy production;
  • Existing jobs and careers will be saved through the infusion of Green technology - such as in advanced manufacturing; and
  • Current jobs and careers will be transformed by incorporation of Green applications - such as in construction and transportation.

Industry sectors that are already producing and supporting growing numbers of Green jobs employment opportunities include the following:

Energy

When people talk about Green jobs, the energy industry usually comes immediately to mind. Many new green technologies and envisioned career opportunities will directly involve research concerning the use of renewable and alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, tidal and wave, and more (including for some, nuclear energy).

Staffing for this energy research and development effort will involve creation of many new professional and technical jobs and careers. More engineers - especially electrical, civil, mechanical, and chemical engineers - will be needed.

Thousands of technicians - including electrical grid technologists, wind turbine fabricators, and residential and commercial solar power installers will also be required.

In addition, industries such as biotechnology can be expected to contribute new energy ideas and technologies, such as development of cellulosic ethanol.

For more information about other energy career opportunities, see these Career Voyages energy industry sub-areas:
Renewables and Nuclear.

See also the Career Voyages Biotechnology and Nanotechnology industries for additional ideas.

Transportation

Green in the transportation industry involves using energy resources more effectively and efficiently. These changes include both upgrading transportation fleets to more fuel efficient and less polluting trucks and diesel locomotives. The selection of less energy intensive transportation such as water or rail will also produce new job opportunities. Green job and career opportunities in this industry include:

  • transportation systems designers,
  • logistics network planners and supervisors,
  • railroad and waterway transportation workers, and
  • commercial truck drivers.

For more information about other transportation opportunities, see the Career Voyages transportation industry sub-areas:


Construction

In order for the nation's Green future to become reality, new structures need to be designed, built, and then maintained. Retrofitting existing buildings will also become a priority. Performing this work will require many specialized construction designers, builders, and maintenance workers.

Needed personnel will include:

  • urban and regional planners,
  • residential and commercial architects,
  • electrical grid/alternative energy system designers,
  • electrical grid/alternative energy system operators, and
  • carpenters and other residential and commercial construction workers.

Together, these professionals and front-line workers will make homes and business buildings more energy efficient.

For more information about construction career opportunities, see the Career Voyages construction industry sub-areas:
Commercial/Industrial and Residential.

U.S. Green Building Council www.usgbc.org

Green Building Certification Institute www.gbci.org

Advanced Manufacturing

The application of Green technologies in advanced manufacturing has the potential to save thousands of U.S. jobs in this high-paying industry sector. By producing more energy efficient automobiles and trucks, for example, the U.S. auto industry envisions becoming more competitive. Green advanced manufacturing companies will require highly-specialized engineers and computer-aided design specialists as well as highly skilled machinists and metalworkers.

For more information about other advanced manufacturing career opportunities, see the Career Voyages advanced manufacturing industry sub-areas:

See also the Career Voyages aerospace industry for further ideas.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

Farming, ranching, fishing and other natural resources industries also have an important role to play in developing a more efficient Green economy. Activities such as reducing fertilizer runoff and conservation of fishing stocks are important to maintaining the health of the environment. Farmers, foresters, conservation biologists, and other agricultural and natural resources practitioners will each be important in this effort.

The U.S. Department of Labor is also starting a "Green Jobs" initiative. More details about this initiative are available at www.doleta.gov.

Check out the information these other sites have to offer!

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