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Posts Tagged ‘green jobs’

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Green Definition: The United Nations

Friday, December 4th, 2009

In 1983 the United Nations convened to the World Commission on Environment and Development, also known as the Brundtland Commission, in response to environmental problems that were negatively impacting economic and social development.  This resulted in the most widely quoted definition of sustainability and sustainable development to date: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

More recently, the United Nations Environment Programme defined green jobs as “work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute(s) substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality. Specifically, but not exclusively, this includes jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution.”

The U.N.’s more broad definition from 25 years ago seems to present a guiding framework for sustainability that emphasizes our impact on the future, while the more recent definition of green jobs looks more specifically at the current industries and issues that affect sustainability today.  It is easy to see where CTE fits into the Environment Programme’s definition — agriculture, manufacturing, protecting ecosystems and biodiversity, and energy efficiency.  These are all areas where CTE training and industry have evolved to incorporate sustainability principles or to create new jobs.

By admin in Public Policy
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Green Definition: Apollo Alliance

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

The Apollo Alliance is a coalition of labor, business, environmental, and community leaders whose mission is to spur a clean energy revolution in order to create millions of high-quality, green-collar jobs.

Paul Angelides, chair of the Apollo Alliance, defines green-collar job in this way:  “It has to pay decent wages and benefits that can support a family.  It has to be part of a real career path, with upward mobility.  And it needs to reduce waste and pollution and benefit the environment.”

This definition includes many of the areas that Perkins focuses on.  Perkins IV requires states to prepare students for employment in high demand, high wage, and high skill careers that are in, or lead to careers in, emerging fields.  We can all agree that “green” is the new and emerging field of the moment;  and the Apollo Alliance’s requirement that these jobs pay decent wages and be family supporting may satisfy the high wage component of Perkins.

Their inclusion of a “career path” also fits in nicely with CTE’s efforts in career pathways and the career cluster framework.  It is important that individuals have clear direction as they acquire skills and knowledge, gain employment, and move up in the green industry, as in any industry.

By admin in Public Policy
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What is “Green”?

Monday, November 9th, 2009

We’ve all heard the term “green” thrown around quite bit recently – green jobs, the green economy, green industry.  But what is “green”?  Many different organizations, from the federal government, to think tanks, to trade associations, to the United Nations have tried to define it in a way that complements the work they are doing in the areas of conservation, energy efficiency and economic development.  In the weeks to come we will periodically highlight in this blog the different ways in which a variety of organizations and institutions use the green terminology to highlight  jobs, education, the economy and other aspects of their work.

It seems that it would be useful for us to consider these definitions.  Doing so will give a better understanding of what other groups mean when they throw these terms around, and help to give us a better understanding of what green should mean to those of us in the CTE community.

By admin in Public Policy
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What is A Green Job?

Thursday, October 15th, 2009

leaf_headerThere is great discourse on defining what qualifies as a green.  Is nuclear energy a green industry? Is an accountant for a wind farm a green job? The Department of Labor recently tagged over 100 occupations in the O*NET database as being green occupations.  http://online.onetcenter.org/find/green.  This searchable tool allows you to browse by the 12 identified green economy sectors: Agriculture and Forestry; Energy and Carbon Capture and Storage; Energy Efficiency; Energy Storage; Environment Protection; Government and Regulatory Administration; Green Construction; Manufacturing; Recycling and Waste Reduction; Renewable Energy Generation; Research, Design and Consulting Services and Transportation.   

The tool breaks green occupations into three categories (definitions and data below are credited to and are directly from the O*NET website http://www.onetcenter.org/green.html?p=2):

Green increased demand occupations: The impact of green economy activities and technologies is an increase in the employment demand for an existing occupation. However, this impact does not entail significant changes in the work and worker requirements of the occupation. The work context may change, but the tasks themselves do not. 64 occupations meet this definition.

Green enhanced skills occupations: The impact of green economy activities and technologies results in a significant change to the work and worker requirements of an existing O*NET-SOC occupation. This impact may or may not result in an increase in employment demand for the occupation. The essential purposes of the occupation remain the same, but tasks, skills, knowledge, and external elements, such as credentials, have been altered.  60 occupations meet this definition.

Green new and emerging occupations: The impact of green economy activities and technologies is sufficient to create the need for unique work and worker requirements, which results in the generation of a new occupation relative to the O*NET taxonomy. This new occupation could be entirely novel or “born” from an existing occupation. 45 occupations qualify for this definition, with another 46 occupations identified as candidates to qualify for this definition.

The O*NET green center has a wealth of “green” resources.

By admin in Publications
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States exhibit diverse growth in green industry

Friday, October 2nd, 2009

Every state across the nation is experiencing growth in at least one green industry sector, according to a series of state reports released by the National Governors Association Center for Best Practices (NGA Center).

The reports profile each state’s efforts and projected growth in green industry, which should help political and industry leaders frame their approach in preparing their infrastructure and workforce to meet emerging economic demands, the NGA said. Such frameworks, with shorterm and longterm investments in mind, would likely impact relevant career and skills training programs at the secondary and postsecondary level to build a strong workforce pipeline.

“Governors across the country have led state efforts to build green businesses, develop green jobs and enact green policy,” said John Thomasian, director of the NGA Center for Best Practices. “These profiles are a valuable tool governors and states can use to analyze their efforts and inform future green initiatives.”

States’ emerging green industries are diverse and widespread, stemming from states’ existing strengths, according to the NGA. Green sectors include manufacturing and industrial; green building and agriculture. The reports analyze states’ green economies and “reveals areas of comparative advantage, promising areas for workforce development and opportunities for building partnerships within and across green industry segments.”

By admin in Career Clusters®, Publications
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The Role of STEM Education in the Growing Green Collar Economy

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

Community colleges, K-12 schools, institutions of higher education and the federal government are working in a variety of ways to develop career and educational opportunities in STEM fields and the new green economy.  NASDCTEc co-sponsored a luncheon yesterday for Hill staffers entitled “The Role of STEM Education in the Growing ‘Green Collar’ Economy” that addressed these efforts.  The event was a collaboration between sponsors and the STEM Caucus, the CTE Caucus and the Community College Caucus.

Dr. William E. Kirwan, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, was optimistic about the broad consensus in this country and around the world about the impact of climate change.  President Obama’s agenda reflects this as he makes math and science top priorities and focuses on green issues.  However, he is concerned about the pace at which we are moving relative to other G8 nations on climate change; there is a sense of urgency among those nations that the United States is lacking in his opinion.

Dr. Kathleen Schatzberg, President of Cape Cod Community College, stressed that community colleges are vital in providing individuals and employers with green and STEM credentials that are in demand.  Community colleges also work closely with other partners in the community to make sure that their efforts are broad and cost effective.  She signaled out dual enrollment as one effective way of getting students interested in the STEM fields before they enter college.

Dr. Patrick Konopnicki, Director of Technical and Career Education at Virginia Beach City Public Schools, reiterated Dr. Schatzberg’s point that partnerships are key and he urged CTE to partner with their city’s economic development board as he has done in Virginia Beach.  He also pointed out that CTE provides the basis for STEM jobs and as such Gov. Kaine has established the Governor’s Career and Technical Academies which will focus on STEM.  Virginia Beach has also incorporated sustainability into their strategic plan, requiring that students learn sustainability skills.  For example, the district will teach LEED concepts to all juniors in CAD and construction courses beginning this fall.

Deputy Assistant Secretary at OVAE, Glenn Cummings reflected on the federal government’s role in STEM education and green jobs, which includes their investment in community colleges and focus on sustainability.  He also highlighted the University Sustainability Program created by the 2008 Higher Education Act.  That program, which has not been funded, would provide grants to universities and colleges to develop programs and practices related to sustainability.

By admin in Public Policy
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Green Jobs Advocacy Tool

Monday, July 20th, 2009

As we all know, green jobs are a hot topic in the media and on Capitol Hill.  Check out “Green Jobs and CTE”, a leave behind that we will use to inform legislators and their staff on the Hill about the link between CTE and green.  You can access it here.

This leave behind looks at the possible definitions of a green job, links green jobs to economic growth, and outlines the ways in which CTE programs prepare students to compete in the green economy.  Please feel free to use this document to inform policymakers and legislators in your state about the benefits of CTE!

By admin in Advance CTE Resources
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Green CTE Grants Included In House Energy Bill

Tuesday, July 7th, 2009

As we mentioned in our April 3, 2009 Legislative Update, Congressman Jerry McNerney (D-CA) introduced the Grants for Renewable Energy Education for the Nation (GREEN) Act which would help to create a workforce prepared for the green economy through competitive grants to develop CTE programs in renewable energy fields.  The GREEN Act was incorporated into the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 in the form of Section 421, Clean Energy Curriculum Development Grants, which passed the House on June 26.

The Clean Energy Curriculum Development Grants will foster partnerships between secondary, postsecondary and community groups that develop and implement high-quality CTE programs of study focused on careers in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency and climate change mitigation.  The Clean Energy Curriculum Development Grants are one way for CTE to train the next generation of green-collar workers who are desperately needed to fill renewable energy jobs that now exist and those that will be created

The bill now moves to the Senate where the Environment and Public Works Committee, the Foreign Relations Committee  and the Finance Committee are holding hearings this week on climate change.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said that he wants to take up the legislation by the fall.

By admin in Legislation
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Secretary Duncan In The News

Friday, June 26th, 2009

This week Education Secretary Arne Duncan mentioned the role of career and technical education in two separate instances. His comments are worthy of your consideration.
In a blog post earlier this week we shared with you the announcement OVAE and the NRCCET made regarding technical assistance for five states to develop green programs of study. Connected to this announcement the Secretary was quoted as saying: “Green programs of study support the Administration’s goal of expanding a green workforce by preparing students for high-skill, high-wage jobs in a clean energy economy.” This comment, and the focus on green programs of study, should be a reminder to all of us that this administration, not just within the Education Department but across all Departments, are continually focusing on the importance of making things greener. It is of course also encouraging that the Secretary recognizes by his words the impact CTE programs can have on the green economy.

Yesterday the Secretary appeared on the Diane Rehm show on National Public Radio. He was interviewed for an entire one hour segment. Early on in the interview Ms. Rehm specifically asked the Secretary about the importance of “vocational” education and training. Within the context of the Secretary addressing college access and increasing college going Ms Rehm asked if everyone really needs four years of college. She pointed out that years ago vocational opportunities were readily available for people but the systems over the years seem to be moving away from that. The Secretary’s response, I think, was a positive one. In his response he said that he “is a big fan” of technical and vocational training programs. He said he wants to work on and give students lots of options and that we have to “find our way again” on these programs and “we” have a lot of interest in them. Later on the Secretary lauded the role of community colleges noting that they can have a huge role in getting our economy back on its feet and referred to the institutions as “an undervalued, under-recognized gem”.

During his interview the following topics were also discussed: early childhood, charter schools, college access, the drop out crisis, class size, charter schools, and accountability. If you would like to listen to the entire interview you can go to the NPR website at http://wamu.org/programs/dr/09/06/25.php#26159. The conversation regarding CTE begins about three and a half minutes into the interview and lasts for about two minutes.

By admin in Public Policy
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Green Program of Study Technical Assistance Announced

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009

Every day we become more and more familiar with the growing movement to focus on making things green.   The Education Department and the NRCCTE announced earlier this week that five states will have the opportunity to concentrate on green-focused programs of study through their participation in an NRCCTE Technical Assistance Academy.

 The following states will receive guidance from a facilitator and access to content experts as they develop their green programs of study in the following areas:

·         Georgia:  energy, construction and transportation

·         Illinois: energy, utilities and waste management

·         New Jersey: various industries

·         Ohio: energy, biotech and agriculture

·         Oregon: wind, solar and energy

 

NASDCTEc is a partner along with AED and MPR in delivering this Academy which provides an outstanding vehicle to help these states develop their programs of study and provides a platform for their hard work and findings to be shared nationally.  The academy participants will be involved in this process for 14 months.

By admin in Advance CTE Announcements, Public Policy
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