What does the Green Collar Economy Mean for Adult Education?

Many of us have heard of the Green Collar Economy, but hearing about and understanding something can be two different things.  What does the Green Collar Economy mean for adult learners and educators?  Should more career pathways programs be looking at the 'green sector' for the middle skill jobs into which their learners are seeking to enter? 

I am looking for models of successful green collar career pathways programs leading to those middle skill careers.  If you are such a program, or know of one, please reach out and let me know.  Even if you don't know any of these programs, I am also interested in hearing whether you're interested in the topic.   I would like to see if there is interest in the subject to host a webinar and/or panel discussion in 2020 about the Green Collar Economy, and best practices used by those programs who are capitalizing on momentum for building more environmentally sustainable career pathways.

Michael Cruse

Career Pathways Moderator

michaelcruse74@gmail.com 

Comments

Wondering what examples of green collar jobs look like in other communities?  Read about how Los Angeles plans to support veterans in joining its green collar economy.

Recognizing the potential for new jobs in the green building industry, the Department of Veterans Affairs will reimburse the cost of the LEED Green Associate Exam or a LEED AP Exam for veterans and their family members. A LEED credential shows proficiency in current sustainable design construction and operation standards and is a great way to kick start or grow a career in the growing green building industry. At the city level, cities such as Los Angeles have developed plans to make green jobs accessible. For example, L.A.’s Green New Deal aims to create 300,000 green jobs by 2035 and 400,000 by 2050, with an emphasis on education and training for these positions. This will include offering Green Jobs courses at L.A. Trade Technical College for 250 students and placing them in internships, adding a sustainability curriculum to WorkSource Development Center training, and ensuring contracts for city construction projects provide opportunities for local hiring and disadvantaged worker employment, among other initiatives.