Green Jobs Offer Sustainable Career Growth
Unemployment continues to rise in many traditional industries, as they have since the stalling of the steel and technology ages. Looking back through employment history, as one technology slowed, another took its place to keep people working and to develop new industries to replace the failing ones. As many of the blue collar jobs fade, they are being replaced by the green collar sector, giving hope for employment to those with the training to assume the positions.
Even though solar and wind energy have been around for many years, there have been few positions created, consequently few career opportunities. However, there have been recent strides taken in improving the environment and more jobs have been created. In 2007 then-President George Bush signed the Green Jobs Act, setting aside $125 million for training. Specifically targeted were veterans and displaced workers, the money was to be used to train them to install solar panels and weatherization.
With this what could be called 'seed money,' industries in the green job arena have grown as more individuals, as well as businesses take on the challenge of energy conservation and relying more on renewable energy resources. With that in mind, workers need to realize that many of the old jobs are no longer going to be available and those that seek out training opportunities in the green industry will have the edge to find employment.
There may exist some confusion over the difference between green collar jobs and blue collar jobs. For example, on the auto assembly line, long known as blue collar jobs, if the factory builds hybrid or all-electric vehicles, will those on the line be considered green collar workers?
Green collar jobs will require not only the right training. It will also require rethinking some of the current jobs. Auto mechanics, used to working on the internal combustion engines will need to become adept at repairing hybrid and electric vehicles. While traditional engines will likely be around for a while, the new vehicles will need upkeep and those trained in their repairs will have an edge over those that refuse to recognize the transition.
As the green industry continues to evolve, it is important to understand the needs of the industry and the jobs that will be required to fulfill that need. Teachers will have to be available to train the new workers to take the new jobs. Many of the new jobs will be localized, as installing solar panels or wind turbines are not jobs that can be sent out of the country.
Due to the technical nature of many of the green collar jobs, they tend to pay a living wage, similar to the auto industry a few decades ago that helped build the middle class. Many are counting on green jobs to help rebuild that income class as they turn in their blue collars for green collars. It would be a misjudgment to presume that all green jobs are more for white collar workers due to the technology involved. Blue collar workers will be in more demand to make that technology come to life in a real world environment.
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