SHRM Poll: Green Jobs—Are They Here Yet? July 14, 2010

Introduction For the purpose of this research, green jobs are defined as jobs that involve: Reducing pollution or waste. Reducing energy usage. Reducing use of limited natural resources. Protecting wildlife or ecosystems. Lowering carbon emissions and developing alternative energy. These jobs primarily meet the need for more environmentally responsible production/work processes and/or the development of green goods and services. The sample for this survey comprised of the following seven industries: services, government, manufacturing, transportation, technology, construction and utilities.

Is your organization currently focusing on creating green jobs OR adding duties within existing or newly created jobs that can be considered green? Note: n = 1577. “Not applicable” responses were exclude from this analysis.

Has your organization’s focus on creating green jobs or adding duties within existing or newly created jobs that can be considered green increased, stayed the same or decreased in the last…? Note: “Not sure” responses were exclude from this analysis. Only respondents whose organizations are focusing on creating green jobs or adding green duties within existing or newly created jobs were asked this question..

If your organization is not currently focusing on creating green jobs OR adding duties within existing or newly created jobs that can be considered green, what are the reasons? Note: n = 826. Percentages do not total 100% as multiple response options were allowed.. Only organizations that are currently not adding green jobs were asked this question. “Not applicable” responses were excluded from this analysis.

In the past 12 months, which of the following have taken place at your organization to meet the demands for more environmentally responsible production/work processes or the development of “greener” ways of working? Note: n = 606. Percentages do not total 100% as multiple response options were allowed.“Not sure” and “none” were excluded from this analysis.

In which of the following occupation categories has your organization added new duties, increased staff levels or created completely new positions? Occupation Categories Definitions of Occupation Categories Added new green duties Increased staff levels of existing jobs with green duties as part of position Created completely new green positions (25% to 100% of job has green duties) Office and administrative support occupations (n = 342) Office and administrative support workers perform the day-to-day activities of the office, such as preparing and filing documents, dealing with the public and distributing information. Green jobs in this occupational group are those that primarily involve supporting the efforts of the organization to reduce its environmental impact. 80% 16% 4% Transportation and material moving occupations (n = 140) Transportation and material moving workers transport people and materials by land, sea or air. Green jobs in this area might be those that involve the development and use of alternative energy or low-carbon transportation methods. 79% 12% 9% Service occupations (n = 212) Service worker jobs span a wide range of industries. Although among service occupation subgroups ,the largest number of new jobs will occur in health care support occupations, there are some potential green jobs in this occupational category, such as grounds and building maintenance workers, or hospitality or food preparation jobs for companies in fields such as eco-tourism or those producing green products and services. 76% 8% Construction trades and related workers (n = 168) Construction and extraction workers as those who build new residential and commercial buildings and also work in mines, quarries and oil and gas fields. Green jobs in this occupational group could include carpenters, construction and building inspectors, construction laborers, electricians and insulation workers who work on improving energy efficiency or ensuring LEED compliance (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, a US Green Building Council accreditation registration) or, in some cases, hazardous materials removal workers. 74% 19% 7% Installations, maintenance and repair occupations (n = 254) Workers in installation, maintenance and repair occupations install new equipment and maintain and repair older equipment. Many of these jobs are in the construction industry and involve the maintenance and repair of buildings and infrastructure. Green jobs in this occupational group might include general maintenance and repair workers, installation, maintenance or repair technicians for solar panels, wind energy or other alternative energy equipment and some automotive and heavy vehicle service technicians and mechanics. 17% Note: “Not applicable” responses were excluded from this analysis. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

In which of the following occupation categories has your organization added new duties, increased staff level or created completely new positions? (continued) Occupation Categories Definitions of Occupation Categories Added new green duties Increased staff levels of existing jobs with green duties as part of position Created completely new green positions (25% to 100% of job has green duties) Management and business and financial occupations (n = 341) Workers in management, business and financial occupations plan and direct the activities of business, government and other organizations. Examples of green jobs in this occupational group could include construction managers, engineering or natural science managers, farming or agricultural managers, production managers for green industries or top executives such as chief sustainability officer. 72% 15% 13% Production occupations (n = 163) Production workers are employed mainly in manufacturing, where they assemble goods and operate plants. Green jobs in this category would include assemblers and fabricators of green products, alternative energy power distributors and dispatchers or water and waste recycling and management system operators. 18% 10% Sales and related occupations (n = 166) These jobs involve sales and related workers that solicit goods and services for businesses and consumers. Green jobs in this occupational group are those that primarily involve the sale of green goods and services across a wide variety of industries, especially retail sales. 68% 14% Professional and related occupations (n = 347) This occupational group includes a wide variety of skilled professions. Green jobs in this occupational group could include green-building and landscape architects, engineers, biological or conservation scientists, foresters, environmental technicians and specialists, commercial and industrial designers, and occupational health and safety specialists. 19% Farming, fishing and forestry occupations (n = 27) Farming, fishing and forestry workers cultivate plants, breed and raise livestock and catch animals. Examples of green jobs in this occupational group could include forest and conservation workers, organic farmers and agricultural inspectors. 67% 22% 11% Note: “Not applicable” responses were excluded from this analysis. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

In which of the following occupation categories has your organization added new duties, increased staff level or created completely new positions? Note: “Not applicable” responses were excluded from this analysis. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.

What is your organization doing or planning to do to prepare current employees for the need to shift to more environmentally responsible production/work processes and meet the demand for the development of greener ways of working? Note: n = 688. Percentages do not total 100% as multiple response options were allowed. Respondents were asked to select their top three actions. Not applicable” responses were excluded from this analysis.

Broadly speaking, what are the main skills needed for the green jobs that your organization has already added or is planning to add? Note: n = 710. Percentages do not total 100% as multiple response options were allowed. Respondents were asked to select their top 3 actions.

Demographics: Organization Industry Note: n= 1439

Demographics: Organization Sector Note: n= 1438

Demographics: Organization Staff Size Note: n = 1368

SHRM Poll: Green Jobs – Are They Here Yet? Methodology Response rate = 13% Sample comprised of 1,705 randomly selected HR professionals from SHRM’s membership from the following industries: services, government, manufacturing, transportation, technology, construction and utilities Margin of error is +/- 4 Survey fielded June 4–June 15, 2010