O*NET Webinar Questions: Green Occupations and Green Occupational Research

New Resources on the Green CoP

New Mexico Green Jobs Cabinet Report

New Mexico has released the Green Jobs Cabinet Report which identified five major goals necessary for maximizing the state’s green economy potential, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and green workforce education. The Governor also issued an executive order which directs state agencies to help meet these goals. For example, the Department of Workforce Solutions will be asked to convene a Green Industry Council to help establish curricula in the public education system, among other tasks. The governor has also announced the release of a Green Jobs Guidebook, which provides information on green careers, education requirements and opportunities as well as other resources for those seeking green economy jobs.

O*NET Report: Greening the World of Work

Green Jobs 101

DOL Announces $55 Million in Green Jobs Grants

Measurement and Analysis of Employment in the Green Economy

The Workforce Information Council (WIC) recently released the final report of its Green Jobs Study Group. The report is the first of its kind in providing key insights into green jobs definitions and analysis from various agency leaders who have already designed and executed studies to assess the green economy at the state level. As such, it is an immense resource for individuals working in labor market information, economic development, and applied research. There is, however, no single accepted definition for a green job, or an agreed-upon manner to analyze the green economy. This report details the thought process behind key green economy studies conducted at the state level, and lessons learned in how this ill-defined area of the economy is best studied. Key discussion items from the report include: • Before engaging in an analysis of the green economy, it is important to know what it is that you are trying to show in the study. Various state reports tackle the topic in different ways based upon the unique strengths and policy implications present. • Defining the terms of what entails a green job or green economic activity is not easy. States have defined the concepts in various ways. The report illustrates different definitions and provides guidance on how to establish definitions useful for measurement. • The survey method is common to quantify the green economy. The report provides guidance for an effective survey-based study, from the initial planning through the dissemination of the final report. • Depending on the purpose of the study, states are also using analytical and qualitative methods. Using data currently available and interview methods, states have compiled reports. Others, namely Michigan, have combined these methods with a survey in its analysis. • Areas for further development and an action plan for how to move forward with capturing green economy data in LMI are discussed.

Book Discussion on Green Jobs (PIT CREW)

The PIT Crew Learner-Mentor exchange discusses Van Jones’ book on the Green Collar economy. The exchange brought learners and mentors together to talk about how to create an economy that can lift people out of poverty and address issues around the earth simultaneously. Participants were introduced to ETA’s Green Jobs framework. Learners and mentors engaged in a dialogue around thought provoking questions such as: Do you believe the United States can create a green economy? What are the three key things required for a successful movement for change? What are the barriers you face in being ready to participate in a green collar economy? What are the five areas of local policy change that local and state governments can embrace?

Summer Camps Aren’t Just for Kids Programs Engage Science Teachers in Research

This article describes summer camps offered to teachers to expose teachers to scientific challenges that many classroom settings cannot provide. Recognizing this exposure as beneficial to both teachers and students, several programs are targeting educators with the goal of enhancing instructional methods in the classroom in order to increase student achievement in the STEM fields. The article describes two university-based, professional development programs for science teachers in Kansas and Ohio. To hear a recorded Webinar re “STEM and the Workforce Investment System” go to http://www.workforce3one.org/view/3428/info

White House Task Force on Middle-Class Working Families

This document outlines the goals and objectives of the White House Task Force on Middle-Class Working Families. The Secretary of Labor is on the Task Force. The functions of the Task Force are advisory only and shall include, but shall not be limited to, producing a detailed set of recommendations to: (a) Expand education and lifelong training opportunities; (b) Improve work and family balance; (c) Restore labor standards, including workplace safety; (d) Protect the incomes of middle-class working families; and (e) Protect retirement security. One of the first areas to be worked on by the Task Force is Green Jobs.

National Business Learning Partnership (NBLP): Promising Practices; Accomplishments; Reflections; and Next Steps

During this 90-minute session, three mentor-learner Teams will share their experiences in five key topic areas, answering such questions as: How to use data to develop high-growth job training initiatives; how to recruit and collaborate with strategic partners; how to identify, secure, and align leveraged resources; how collaboration leads to curriculum development and training; and how to become a leader and significant player in regional economic development. Selected Teams will represent a diversity of regions and high-growth industries such as Healthcare, Bioscience, Ecotourism, and Renewable or Green Energy. All presentations will have a replicable or tangible asset or resource to share.

U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Newsletter

The Economic Development Administration devotes its Spring 2009 newsletter to “Green Jobs.” A couple of profiles are offered, including: Building Green, Building Futures: Austin-based nonprofit provides a pathway out of poverty for local youth, and Michigan’s educational and training programs

Grey Is the New Green

How do you see green? Join us for a discussion on “going green” and what it means for SCSEP, jobs, communities, and our economy.

Green Spotlight: Innovators and Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurship and innovation plays a key role in job growth. This spotlight highlights a few entrepreneurs in the green economy that may play a role in creating the jobs for economic recovery.

Green Recovery: A Program to Create Good Jobs and Start Building a Low Carbon Economy

This report, published by the American Center for Progress and the Political Economy Research Institute at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, outlines a green economic recovery program that could create about 2 million new jobs within the U.S. economy over two years. This program can also help to stabilize the price of oil, and would help jumpstart a wide range of new investment initiatives that can effectively fight global warming and build a clean energy economy in the United States.

Green Jobs – A Framework for Action

Green jobs have garnered significant national focus this year in a host of different contexts, including Federal legislation, education, political agendas at all levels, and in the media. As a result, both public and private sectors are working to better understand this new economic phenomenon that is termed “green jobs” in order to effectively develop strategies to ensure the availability and presence of a skilled workforce. Based on ETA’s ongoing work in this area, ETA has developed a draft framework for action to help the agency organize the work that we do to support the workforce system and its customers as green jobs impact our economy. The webinar will provide an overview of green jobs policy drivers, skills changers, and occupational impacts. It will also provide an opportunity for discussion of the draft framework for action and new ways of thinking about our work.

Green Collar Workers and Other Mythical Creatures

Labor market analysts have to cut through the fog of overlapping, conflicting and even nonsensical uses of the terms “green jobs” and “green collar workers” before they can give valid and reliable counts of workers employed in them, provide employment demand growth estimates and identify the requisite KSAs for green employment (as opposed to employment in their non-green predecessors). This monograph, authored by Marc Anderberg, explores the myths and mysteries of green collar jobs and offers an action agenda to aid workforce professionals in understanding and implementing job training requirements imposed by Title X of the Green Jobs Act of 2007.

Environmental Defense Fund Climate Atlas

The Environmental Defense Fund has tool on their website that uses Google maps to identify green companies in 12 states—ones that are likely to create jobs in a low-carbon economy. This tool could be used to connect WIBs and One-Stops with these employers that are trying to identify where the jobs are and who to partner with on green jobs

Apollo Alliance

A coalition of business, labor, environmental, and community leaders working to catalyze a clean energy revolution in America to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, cut the carbon emissions that are destabilizing our climate, and expand opportunities for American businesses and workers. Inspired by the vision and technological achievements of the Apollo space program, we promote policies and initiatives to speed investment in clean energy technology and energy efficiency, put millions of Americans to work in a new generation of well-paid, green collar jobs, and make America a global leader in clean energy products and services.

DOL and EPA Green Jobs Web Portal

The Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Labor have created a web site that is intended to serve as the central hub for information dissemination and collaboration among individuals and organizations interested in all aspects of green job development and support. AmericanGreenJobs.net will enable users to share information and best practices, map data, exchange resources and ideas, and collaborate on new and existing projects as well as other activities.