CT Green Scene

Green Job Growth: What is it? Where is it?

by Anneli C. Olila, Editor-in-Chief of Boston GreenScene / Principal of Olila Documents & Communication Strategies

In my recent discussion of green job hunting myths, I argued against the mystique surrounding the green job industry and the psychological and other barriers this presents to those hoping to transition into a green career.  Responses from readers ranged from disbelief, to hesitant hope, to specific questions regarding qualifications and resources. In this article, I start to provide some data that may be useful to readers in understanding the projected growth of the green job market and where they might fit in.

What Do We Mean by 'the Green Job Market is Growing'?

According to the United States President's Council of Economic Advisers (CEA), green jobs are everywhere, and the growth of the green job market is anticipated to continue to outstrip the growth of other markets. In its July 2009 report, the CEA cited data compiled by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) showing projected growth in environmentally-related occupations to be 38% more than all other occupations combined by 2016. This is depicted in the following figure, reproduced from page 8 of their report:

To put this into perspective, it is worth noting that the occupations they considered were actually in a fairly limited range.  Specifically, the BLS projections drawn from in the CEA report are based on data for the following occupations only:

Squashing Some Green Job Hunting Myths

by Anneli C. Olila, Editor-in-Chief of Boston GreenScene / Principal of Olila Documents & Communication Strategies

Each week, I spend hours talking to job seekers of all levels—from those just graduating from school to highly-experienced C-level executives. Many are contemplating a green career, either out of their passion for the environment or simply because other markets are tight and the green market shows promise. Often, what I hear is a fatigued and resigned voice on the other end of the phone saying, “I’d love to join a green company, but they all want you to already have vast experience in the green industry.” 

When anyone, let alone a top-level, international, well-accomplished executive, says this to me in the midst of cataloging his or her milestone achievements—such as dramatically increasing revenue, efficiency, and organizational prestige; adeptly handling countless mergers and acquisitions; building exceptional cross-cultural and cross-functional teams; applying proven project management and Six Sigma skills; and achieving numerous patented inventions across regulatory environments—I am astonished. I am astonished as editor-in-chief of a green information portal, and I am astonished as a communications specialist who works closely with companies, schools, recruiters, and job seekers. I am also astonished just as a thinking person. There is an apparent and unfortunate mystique built around the green industry—and, frankly, around the job search industry itself—that is completely unwarranted.

Websites to Find a Green Job

By Heather Burns-DeMelo

It's no surprise that with so many people out of work and looking for work that supports their values, lots of people are hoping to find a "green job".

And with clean tech having surpassed all others as the number one in world wide investments, sectors that support a sustainable future are clearly poised to grow. We've rounded up a few websites to help in your search. Good luck!

http://www.bsr.org/resources

http://www.idealist.org/en/career/career.html

http://www.stopdodo.com/

http://ecoemploy.com/ (USA)

http://www.ejobs.org/states/ctgov.html

http://www.ecojobs.com/

http://www.ejobs.org/

Green Demolitions has 2 jobs in Norwalk CT

Via Fairfield County Jobs

Warehouse Foreman. Green Demolitions, Norwalk, CT has an immediate warehouse foreman opening.

Required skills include: Heavy moving, retail store setup, and inventory control. Minimum 2-4 years work experience. Seeking energetic team player with good computer and multi-task skills. E-mail resume to Noel Grabill, Store Manager atnoel@greendemolitions.com. Please no phone calls or drop-ins. Retail Sales. Green Demolitions, Norwalk, CT has an immediate retail sales opening. Must have 3-5 years sales experience with proven tract record and great references. Seeking energetic team player with good computer, phone and multi-task skills. E-mail resume to Noel Grabill, Store Manager at noel@greendemolitions.com. Please no phone calls or drop-ins.

Stamford Man Launches 5milliongreenjobs.com

by Heather Burns-DeMelo

Anyone want one? If yes, in what sector? Which fields interest you most? Will you look for green jobs in the areas that interest you, or those you've identified as best poised to grow?

Will you venture off on your own and start a new eco-conscious business; green up your existing company; or follow the green business trends so you know which large companies to approach in the months to come?

Will you be willing to go to school for additional training or education? Do you know where to look for training and certification programs?

Do you feel prepared to look for a job and sell yourself to companies looking for green professional? Why or why not?

Tell us about your green job hunt..and/or join hundreds of others networking sustainable business.

Putting the Green Back into the Economy

by Eileen Weber

I certainly don’t have to tell you that the economy is bleak. We hear it every day in the news. More Americans are waiting and hoping for the economic downturn to smile in the other direction.

But the environment is one industry that continues to grow despite what happens on Wall Street. If it’s green, it’s growing. President Barack Obama has even carved out a nice section of his stimulus package to incorporate green jobs. With that kind of support, the trend may only continue.

In a New York Times article dated March 23rd, Heather Burns-DeMelo, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Alliance for Sustainable Enterprise and the Editor for this web site, said we should expect to see an increase in “green collar jobs” with the boost in environmental training and education.

State Seeks Solar Strategist to Draft Long-Term Plan

Connecticut Clean Energy Fund – LONG-TERM SUSTAINABLE SOLAR STRATEGY STUDY
August 21, 2008

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) is seeking proposals from experienced consultants and/or organizations with in-depth knowledge of the solar energy industry, including measurement and evaluation models and strategic means by which to develop a Long-Term Sustainable Solar Strategy.

Proposals are due by 3:00 p.m. on September 25, 2008. If you have questions regarding this RFP, please send an e-mail to info@ctcleanenergy.com. All questions, and subsequent responses, will be posted on the CCEF’s Web site at www.ctcleanenergy.com.

Green Jobs, Green Jobs, Green Jobs

We've made a modest attempt at listing green jobs in Connecticut with that little widget on the right hand side bar, and from the number of email inqueries we receive, it's clear that lots of you are out there looking.

So...here's a wee roundup:

Vertrue, with offices located in Norwalk has at least a half dozen positions open.

The Stamford Nature Center needs a Head of Media Relations and Marketing. Contact Kate Combs, 203-977-6522. kcombs@stamfordmuseum.org.

Early Childhood Educators needed in totally green facility in Stamford.

Sustainable Business has the following positions listed:

-Solar Installer, Milford

-Green Building/Sustainability Consultants, Norwalk

-PV Sales, Milford

-Environmental Engineer, Farmington

Wake Up. Work. Go to GreenDrinks.

Thanks to everyone for a GREAT January GreenDrinks at Pirate! We'll see you all next month at the Westport Arts Center. Renowned chef and author Michel Nischan will speak about sustainability in Connecticut. Enjoy tasty treats by The Mindful Chef. Admission: $15. Space is limited; please RSVP.

Companies and organizations represented at Fairfield County GreenDrinks:

AKF Engineers
AllGreen Magazine
Catch a Healthy Habit
CBIA
Center for Green Building
Connecticut Fund for the Environment
CT Coalition for Environmental Justice
CT Friends School
CT GreenScene
E Magazine
EarthPlace
Eco-chick
Energy Independence Now
Environmental Innovations Group
Fairfield Winter Market
Great Green Race
Green Home Solutions
Greenburbs
iPark
JRT Design
Kathleen Richards Makeup Artist
Letters from a Small State
Maritime Aquarium
Mercury Solar
Morgan Stanley
National R/E Sources
NaturalAwakenings
Natural Neighborhood
Organic Vintages
Pelli Clarke Pelli Architects
Pirate
RD Weis
Reforest the Tropics
Shape Construction and Design
Smith Barney
Solar Wrights
Sterling Planet
Steven Winters and Associates
The Daily Green
The Dressing Room
The Mindful Chef
The New York Times
Topline Marketing
Voltaic Systems
Walders Business Interiors
Wendy Carlson Photography
Westport Magazine
WSHU