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Along with the $500 million worth of stimulus money going to green-job training programs, there is another promise floating around. Biden and others involved in the greening of the economy are committed to making sure these jobs are middle-class jobs -- a "green wave that lifts all boats," in the words of Van Jones, president of Green for All.
Biden said that people making $20 an hour before a green job training program can earn $50 per hour after. He also said that clean-energy jobs pay 10 to 20 percent more than their "traditional" counterparts. It may also be interesting to know that the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) doesn't separate out green collar jobs -- because many are really traditional blue and white collar gigs that just happen to be in a "green" industry.
Where The Jobs Are
Barack Obama said it best when he said it begins with energy. Many of these green collar jobs will be growing in the energy sector.
The American Solar Energy Society (ASES), in conjunction with a Washington-based economic research firm, recently released a Green Jobs Report that heralded some bright news in this otherwise dour economic climate. As of 2007, the renewable energy industry -- which includes areas like energy efficiency -- provided over 9 million jobs. This $1 trillion powerhouse is also poised for major growth in the coming years, especially now that stimulus money is flowing to it.
So, what areas are hot? ASES says the solar, biofuel, and fuel cell will be the sectors to watch in the coming years. Wind is also a major source of renewable energy. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates it will produce 20 percent of the nation's energy by 2030.
What about the jobs? Some will be highly skilled, specialized technical careers such as line workers and wind turbine mechanics. However, the vast majority of the jobs will go to the college-educated crowd. These are the kind found in all industries such as managers, accountants, and information technology professionals.
Here are five jobs ASES has identified as "hot" in green energy, along with some information from the BLS:
* Electricians: Job training comes in the form of apprenticeship and classroom instruction. Median wages are $44,780 or $21.53 an hour. The hourly wage jumps a whooping $5 an hour for jobs in the energy industry, bringing the annual mean wage up over $55,000.
* Mechanical engineers: You'll need at least a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering. Average starting salaries are $54,128, with median salaries of $72,300.
* Construction managers: Most construction managers hold a bachelor's degree in construction management or construction science and have extensive experience. For some, a master's degree in finance or business administration -- perhaps even a sustainable or "green" MBA -- offers a pathway to career advancement. While median salaries in 2007 were $76,230, construction managers working in the electrical energy industry pulled down mean wages over $100,000.
* Accountants: A bachelor's degree in accounting is the minimum requirement. Median salaries run at $57,060.
* Environmental scientists: To land this green job, you'll need your master's degree in environmental or earth science. Depending on your specialty, you can find jobs all over the green economy -- working for utilities, private corporations, even the government. Median salaries are $58,380.
Warm Sun, Cool Breeze
Two other areas receiving a lot of attention these days are solar panel installation and home weatherization. Big companies, like Green Mountain Coffee in Vermont, and private homes alike are turning to the power of the sun to help keep their lights (and computers and machines) on.
The BLS doesn't keep statistics on solar panel installers, so it is hard to gauge industry salaries. However, the New York Times recently quoted two firms--one in California, the other in New Jersey -- who paid their installers between $16 and $30 an hour in addition to health benefits.
If the Obama administration plans to meet its goal of weatherizing 1.25 million homes over the next two years, they'll need a lot of help from private industry. Construction jobs that have been lost due to the housing slump might find themselves reinvented (and refunded) thanks to the stimulus plan.
Energy Security = Job Security
Green energy can create the kind of solid, reliable employment that seems to be disappearing from our economy these days. You can't outsource electrical line work, solar panel installation, or home weatherization. And, the Obama administration is committed to seeing that the white-collar "green jobs" stay right here at home, too.
Lila Daniels is a freelance writer living in Vermont. She previously worked in higher education publishing and as a high school art teacher.
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