I often write about green jobs and the importance of a clean energy economy for the Mother Nature Network. I am passionate about the importance of a clean energy economy and so it was nice to see President Obama focus on this for a good portion of his State of the Union address. 
Although I’ve been writing about green jobs for almost a year and a half, I never thought about the idea that one of my children will have a green job one day.
My oldest is only eight, so he’s got a long time before he enters the workforce. Right now, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act has provided millions of dollars to green jobs training programs that focus on certain underserved communities, including youth. The unemployment rate among teens in this nation is outrageously high. In December 2009, the national unemployment rate was 10% but 27.1% of teenagers were unemployed. So these training programs are providing an opportunity for teenagers to learn a new skill that will prepare them for a green career, not just a green job.
However, many of these training programs are geared at weatherization, energy efficiency, and other construction-based trades. I don’t see Alexander in any of these fields. For a few years he wanted to be an Egyptologist but now he’s thinking something more technical and in the computer/information technology field. The good news is, he can still find a green job in the IT industry…green jobs are everywhere.
So have you ever thought ahead to your child’s future and wondered if he will have a green job one day?
Photo: greenforall.org
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What better way for your kids to focus on the future than with green job aspirations! Be sure to consider the solar field. Producers and installers of PV (short for photovoltaic) panels actually have a shortage of qualified workers at this time. These devices are the solar panels that collect the sun’s energy and turn it into electricity. Here’s a link that will give you some background information.
http://www1.eere.energy.gov/education/clean_energy_jobs.html
And, if your children are interested in energy as it relates to architecture and engineering, check out this great site:
http://www.solardecathlon.org/
You’ll be inspired by what these college students are doing!
I guess I have thought about it a little. One of my kids wants to be an engineer. I’m hoping that all engineering will have a green aspect in the future.
I would love for my child to have a green job one day! I really hadn’t considered it until you mentioned it though!
Oddly enough, it’s something that crossed my mind once; given the fact that I don’t have kids yet, I already know I want the best for them and quite frankly, once I get my first, I’ll do everything to raise him or her green in hopes he gets a Green Job!
My youngest WILL open an organic/locally oriented restaurant some day. He doesn’t know it yet, but I do….
Seriously, I hope that all jobs, whether inherently green or not, are environmentally conscious by the time our children hit the work force.