Greener Pathways: Jobs and Workforce Development in a Clean-Energy Economy
This 2008 report provides information on the types and quality of jobs in the clean energy economy, the skills needed to fill these jobs and how existing plants and their workers can move to the center of the clean energy economy. The report focuses on current economic and workforce development opportunities in three leading industries: energy efficiency, wind and biofuels. It also details federal resources available to support state green jobs initiatives and makes recommendations for state policy-makers.
It begins by providing an overview of the three sectors listed above, identifying the following:
- Potential growth opportunities in the sector
- Existing and potential jobs available in the sector, with training/certification requirements and average wages
- Challenges to expansion
- Promising Federal, state and local initiatives designed to expand these sectors
The report covers a lot of ground already contained in other green jobs/workforce development reports. However, it is less technical, more clearly written and focused on federal, state and most importantly local strategies and policies available to develop a green jobs strategy. This report will be useful as a general background document on job opportunities in the clean-energy economy. However, it will also provide a blueprint for targeted, results-oriented action to create a linked economic and workforce development strategy focused on green-collar jobs.
Fuel produced from biological RENEWABLE RESOURCES such as plants, vegetable oils, and treated waste. Biofuels can significantly lessen harmful carbon monoxide emissions and reduce air pollution when added to petroleum-based fuels. See ETHANOL, BIOETHANOL, BIODIESEL, BIOGAS.Energy efficiency is the process of using less energy to produce the same or increased functions. Often used mistakenly as a synonym for ENERGY CONSERVATION. The ability or potential of a physical body to do work. The most common forms of energy are heat, light, mechanical (moving parts), and electrical.
