Green Jobs Training at Work
Because of government funding of green jobs training /a>, many are on their way to launching new careers in a growing and high paying field. Many of those in existing fields are taking courses at solar energy schools and wind turbine training institutes.
Certifications and degrees in green tech are offered in accelerated courses or 2 and 4 year college degrees where they have implemented the proper training, as stated by the Employment and Training Administration of the U.S. Labor Department.
A good example of green jobs training at work is the case of a 51-year-old oilfield worker that wondered about the view from atop a 300 foot high wind turbine. Because of her curiosity, she decided to go back to school to become a wind turbine mechanic, where she will climb and repair them in the near future.
In a shaky economy, this type of re-training can assure unemployed workers and those in shrinking occupations that there are job markets that offer growth, higher income and stability.
The community college courses and apprenticeships that are training workers to be wind turbine mechanics, fuel-cell engineers, solar panel installers and work in alternative energy occupations and energy efficiency jobs are what stand out about the renewable energy sector. Green jobs training will give $20 per hour workers a chance to make $50 per hour when they have completed the necessary courses.
Because the average annual salary of green collar jobs is above $95,000 per year, many will be able to find a higher paying job in a growing field where demand is expected to exceed supply. With an estimated 5 million jobs in this job sector, it is enough to eliminate the unemployed workers in the present time.
There is $500 million that has been funded for education and re-training. There is still money available for those that need to attend these courses in green tech. Many of the existing students that are studying other degree courses in engineering, architecture, building and construction trades are already seeing these additional courses added as part of their curriculum.
Green jobs training programs can be utilized in a number of industries. As an example, the hotel industry has already been undergoing energy saving and green programs in an effort to help the environment and save energy, in addition to costs. Because the hotels are so energy intensive, programs across the country and the globe offer incentives for certifications in LEED or other “green” requirements.
For example, in Florida, a hotel must be certified with a “Palm” rating to receive government convention business. These ratings involve everything from water and waste management, green building supplies and products, and taking advantage of natural elements such as “greenscaping” in landscape and bamboo flooring in guest rooms, for example. The occupations involved to convert these hotels include engineers, architects, interior designers, and energy management system consultants. Even landscapers that are aware of “green” initiatives using natural plants, and proper locations for limited water use will have secure careers under the Green Jobs Act.
Green jobs training programs are offering higher paying jobs in a growing and stable field. This sector is anticipated to grow for the next decade on a global basis, so those that get the proper training, certifications and degrees will be in high demand for some time to come.
