Green Jobs 101: How to Snag Eco-Employment

Looking for a green collar job? You’re far from alone. Even with the tanking economy, lots of people are putting their hopes into the prediction that millions of green jobs are coming our way in the next few years – especially since many believe that green jobs and economic recovery will go hand-in-hand. Here’s EarthFirst’s guide to green jobs, helping you learn more about what’s out there, how to get training and where to apply.

What exactly is a green collar job?

A ‘green collar job’ is generally defined as a job that pays a livable wage, provides opportunities for advancement along a career track of increasing skills and wages and helps the planet, whether by cleaning up the environment, providing renewable energy, advancing eco-friendly technology or some other tangible improvement.

Green collar jobs range from what we know as ‘blue collar’ to ‘white collar’, with most of them falling squarely in the middle. They tend to require more than just high school education, but not necessarily 4-year college degrees. With adequate training, even low-skilled and low-income workers can get a job in a green industry.

Green collar jobs also tend to be local jobs. Check this out, from Green for All:

Much of the work we have to do to green our economy involves transforming the places that we live and work and the way we get around. These jobs are difficult or impossible to offshore. For instance, you can’t pick up a house, send it to China to have solar panels installed, and have it shipped back. In addition, one of the major sources of manufacturing jobs — a sector that has been extensively off-shored — are components parts for wind towers and turbines. Because of their size and related high transportation costs, they are most cost-effectively produced as near as possible to wind-farm sites. Cities and communities should begin thinking now about ways their green strategies can also create local jobs.

What are the hot industries with lots of jobs available, and what does the future look like for green jobs in general?

The hottest sectors for green jobs are solar thermal, solar photovoltaics, biofuels, and fuel cells (in terms of revenue growth). Hot job areas include electricians, mechanical engineers, welders, metal workers, construction managers, accountants, analysts, environmental scientists, and chemists.  The vast majority of jobs created by the renewable energy and energy efficiency industries are in the same types of roles seen in other industries.

In other words, you won’t necessarily even have to change fields to get a green job. Green companies will be seeking factory workers, IT professionals, marketing professionals, administrative assistants and other employees. Nearly any job can be green.

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) forecasts the creation of 37 million jobs from renewable energy and energy efficiency in the U.S. by the year 2030. Of course, ASES warns that this scenario will only be possible with strong government support – but we’re counting on President Obama to live up to his promises to put the creation of green jobs at the forefront of his priorities.

So far, California and Colorado stand out in terms of availability of green jobs and growth potential. California is becoming a “cleantech epicenter”, with employment in the sector spiking 10 percent between 2005 and 2007. More than $3 billion in venture money was invested in California cleantech companies in 2008, representing over 57 percent of all U.S. investments in the sector. California has also produced the highest number of patents (607) in the solar, wind and battery industries. Colorado, on the other hand, is a hotbed of renewable energy opportunities with about 6% of the U.S. wind market, nearly six percent of the photovoltaics market, and about 5% of the biofuels market.

The green jobs field is still very much in flux, according to GreenBiz.com. After years of promise led to a crash in expectations in late 2008 as the global economy faltered, many were unsure of how things will shape up in 2009 – and though it’s still unclear exactly when and where the green job boom will take place, there is definitely promise. All signs point to the Obama administration jump-starting America’s clean tech sector. Employers will have to catch up to the 21st century, though, and stop requiring applicants in brand-new fields to have years of experience. Training programs will be necessary to prepare workers for these new roles.

Where can I learn more about green jobs training?

If you’re out for a green job, prepare to be competitive. While not all green jobs require special training, many do – especially the cleantech and renewable energy industries. Here’s a list of green job training programs for various fields.

Green Corps 2009-2010 Field School for Environmental Organizing – In Green Corps’ year-long paid program, you’ll get intensive training in the skills you’ll need to make a difference in the world. You’ll get hands-on experience fighting to solve urgent environmental problems — global warming, deforestation, water pollution and many others — with groups such as Sierra Club and Greenpeace. And, when you graduate from Green Corps, we’ll help you find a career with one of the nation’s leading environmental and social change groups.

Green for All Academy – The Green for All Academy trains leaders and gives them the tools they need to communicate the promise of the green economy and to engage disadvantaged communities in support of green jobs and climate protection strategies. Academy participants are on-the-ground leaders in the movement to create an inclusive green economy strong enough to lift people out of poverty. After receiving their initial training, participants work with Green For All to advance policy, communication, and organizing goals over a one-year fellowship period.

Sustainable South Bronx – The Bronx Environmental Stewardship Training (BEST) program is one of the nation’s first and most successful green-collar job training & placement systems. Students graduate with several certifications, job readiness preparation, and a powerful environmental justice perspective on all of the important work they are qualified to do. Nearly all of the students were on some form of public assistance, and about half have prison records. This 14-16-week program is free to qualified applicants. SSBx also has a 10 to 13 week pilot job training program in basic building construction, energy retrofits, and home energy audits.

Oakland Green Jobs Corps – Providing “green pathways out of poverty,” the Oakland Green Job Corps will serve young adults who face barriers to employment – poverty, lack of work experience, limited education, cultural and language barriers, or history with the criminal justice system. The teachers at Cypress Mandela provide wraparound services and work with the students to help them achieve basic literacy and math skills, pass their GED, learn personal finance, get their drivers license or clear their driving record, and pass their weekly drug tests.

Solar Energy International - Solar Energy International (SEI) is a USA non-profit organization whose mission is to help others use renewable energy and environmental building technologies through education. SEI teaches individuals from all walks of life how to design, install and maintain renewable energy systems, and how to design and build efficient, sustainable homes. SEI offers trainings online and in 22 locations around the world.

Solar Living Institute – Established in 1998 as a spin-off from Real Goods Trading Company, the Solar Living Institute in Hopland, CA, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational organization whose mission is to promote sustainable living through inspirational environmental education. The Institute provides practical, education by example and hands-on workshops on renewable energy, green building, sustainable living, permaculture, organic gardening and alternative, environmental, construction methods.

DC GreenWorks – DC Greenworks is a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) social enterprise that serves the Washington, D.C. community by providing training, tools, and technologies that utilize, advance, and protect the environment. DC Greenworks sees a vital connection between ecology and economy, between employment potential and environmental sustainability. We actively seek to discover, promote, and deliver cutting-edge solutions that are cost-effective, eco-friendly, and socially beneficial.

There are lots more green job training programs available locally. To find one near you, contact your local chamber of commerce.

How do I prepare?

Before you start applying for green jobs, there are some things you can do to improve your chances of getting hired. First and foremost, go green in your own life in any ways that you can. Read green blogs, join local green groups, communicate with other greenies online – make contacts and build your knowledge about the green movement in general. If you’re unsure of what kind of green job is right for you, this can be a great way to learn which topics pique your interest.

Consider your strengths and think about how skills you’ve acquired in previous jobs can help you perform a new green job. Put these on your resume – and speaking of resumes, beef it up with green volunteering. It’ll show that your heart’s in the right place, which can help you stand out in a crowd of applicants.

Where should I apply?

Here are a few of the top green job boards. Check them regularly – instructions for applying to each job are typically included in the listing.

Green Jobs
Treehugger Job Board
Green Dream Jobs
Green Jobs Network
Green Careers by MonsterTRAK
Green Gigs
GreenBiz.com Career Center

Of course, if you’re the entrepreneurial type, your best bet may be starting your own eco-friendly business. Learn more about how to do that at Entrepreneur.com.

Recommended Reading

The Green Collar Economy by Van Jones
Ten Best Green Jobs for the Next Decade
Top 25 Green Gigs & Their Salaries
Get a Job: Top 10 Guides to Finding the Perfect Eco Career
Great Green Careers
Opportunities for Green Growth: Myths and Realities About Green Jobs
Why Obama’s Green Jobs Plan May Work

Photo credit: Green for All

Related Posts:

College Students Flood Green Jobs Training
‘Green For All’ Fights to Lift People Out of Poverty
Clean Energy Economy Poised for Explosive Growth
10 Must-Read Articles for Green Job Hunters
Van Jones Explains Why He’s Going to Washington