finding earth works - march 2009 findingearthworks.org “occasionally something different happens,...
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Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
“Occasionally something different happens,
a collective awakening …that changes
everything…how people see the world,
what they value, how society defines
progress and organizes itself, and how
institutions operate. The Renaissance was
such a shift, as was the Industrial
Revolution. So, too, is what is starting to
happen around the world today.” Peter Senge, The Necessary Revolution
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
The Green Economy: Prepare for the Change
Building Skills ~ Making Connections
Commonwealth Workforce Coalition
March 2009
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
So what’s going on with the climate?
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
What is our energy situation today?
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
How’s our economy doing?
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
“Speed of job loss hints at a vast remaking of the US economy” NYT, March 7, 2009
• Unemployment rate 8.1%
• Those working part time but who want full-time work was 8.6 million; up 76.4% from a year ago
• Those who currently want a job was 5.6 million; up 19.2% from a year ago
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
“We have to seriously look at fundamentally rebuilding the economy. You’ve got to use
this moment to retrain for jobs.” Andrew Stettner, National Employment Law Project
• Stimulus bill includes $4.5 billion for job training
• “In current dollars, the nation devoted the equivalent of $20 billion to job training in 1979, compared with only $6 billion last year.”
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
What are ‘green’ jobs?
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Apollo Alliance’s definition:
Green-collar jobs are well paid, career
track jobs that contribute directly to
preserving or enhancing environmental
quality.
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Green-Collar Jobs… • Rebuild a strong middle class
• Provide pathways out of poverty
• Require some new skills (and some new thinking about old skills)
• Tend to be local jobs
• Strengthen urban and rural communities
• Protect our health and the health of the planet
definition from Green For All
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Industry sectors• Energy
• Construction
• Transportation
• Material waste / Recycling /Deconstruction
• Toxicity
• Food / Agriculture
• Water
• Local Production
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Job Projections
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
U.S. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Industries in 2030
Source: Management Information Services, Inc. and American Solar EnergySociety, 2008.
Revenues
(Billions of 2006 Dollars)
Total Jobs Created
(Direct Plus Indirect – Thousands)
Base Case
Moderate Scenario
Advanced Scenario
Base Case
Moderate Scenario
Advanced Scenario
RE $98 $212 $560 1,305 3,138 7,918
EE $1,818 $2,152 $3,933 14,953 17,825 32,185
Total $1,913 $2,379 $4,530 16,258 20,963 40,103
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
What kinds of jobs?
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
There will be some new jobs others will be refocused
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Energy efficiency
• Energy Assessment / Auditing• Insulation• Air Sealing• Weatherization• Lighting Replacement• Boiler and HVAC System
Efficiency/Replacement• Residential / Commercial /
Industrial
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Renewable energy
• Solar power• Wind power• Hydropower• Biomass • Geothermal power
• Installers• Maintainers• Designers • Manufacturing –
machining, sheet metal, lab tech
• Power plant operators• Research and
development
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
MA Clean Energy Sector:
• 14,400 jobs in clean energy cluster
• Now 10th largest industry in the state
• Surveyed executives expect 30% job growth in renewable energy firms and 25% for energy efficiency firms over the next year.
Mass Clean Energy Industry Census Report, August 2007, Mass Technology Collaborative
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Specific skills are needed AND
• Readiness to work• Basic skills in math, writing,
communication, and analysis• Facility with computers• Ability to communicate technically and
plainly with customers• Ability to be flexible and adapt to change• Concern about the environment and the
community
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
• There is a premium on understanding the situation, systems thinking, making connections
• Because this is a watershed time in our global economy/structure, a lot is not yet known
• Key is being ready
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Preparing for the change…
Math and Science
Individual Preparedness
Civics and Community Preparedness
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Preparing for the change…
Work Readiness / Career Prep
• Being work ready
• Seeing how the economy is changing
• Knowing about green industry sectors
• Understanding training and career possibilities
• Being able to articulate the importance of ‘green’ work
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Preparing for the change…Skill Training
• Partnered with industry, local employers
• Aligned with public workforce development system
• Articulated with advanced training and higher education
• Training for jobs balanced with growing an industry
• Short term and the long view
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Panelists
• Maureen Huffam, Senior Human Resource Director, Conservation Services Group
• Kathy Agostinelli, Director of Human Resources, Evergreen Solar
• Pam Cargill, Project and System Support, Alteris Renewables
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Q & A
• Write question on index card
• Put it in the basket
• We’ll synthesize
• Others answered online
• Make sure to share your email address
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
“The future will be green, or not at all.
This truth lies at the heart of human-
kind’s most pressing challenge:
to learn to live in harmony with the
Earth on a genuinely sustainable
basis.”Jonathon Porritt, Chairman of the UK Sustainability Commission
Finding Earth Works - March 2009 findingearthworks.org
Finding Earth Works
• Staff training on the green economy
• Workshops for students, clients
• Facilitation for program/employer partnerships
• Online resources – www.findingearthworks.org