Update on Minnesota Green Job Vacancies Research Alessia Leibert Research Analyst, LMI, DEED May 13 th 2010

LMI Green Jobs Grant American Recovery and Reinvestment Act grant through Dept of Labor Research focused grant,18 months, $1.16 million Purpose: –Count the number of green job vacancies –Explore labor force gaps, specifically in skills/knowledge/education requirements –Develop career information

What is a green job? National Workforce Information Council: A green job is one in which the work is essential to providing products or services that improve energy efficiency, expand the use of renewable energy, or support environmental sustainability. The job involves work in: –Renewable energy and alternative fuels –Energy efficiency and conservation –Pollution, waste and GHG management, prevention and reduction –Environmental cleanup and remediation and waste clean-up and mitigation –Sustainable agriculture and natural resource conservation –Education, regulation, compliance, public awareness and training and energy trading

LMI definition of green vacancies Job vacancies that are directly engaged in any of the following: Environmental regulation, research, or advocacy Sustainable agriculture or natural resource conservation Environmental cleanup Energy efficiency Renewable energy or alternative/clean fuels

What distinguishes our green research from others? Focus on vacancies, not size of the green economy Extensive work of validating employers’ responses through calls and research on job postings

Information gaps on green careers

Initial findings Total of 488 green job vacancies during fourth quarter Equivalent to1.8 percent of total job vacancies Found in –57 NAICS industries –60 SOC occupations

Industries with multiple green openings Administration of Conservation Programs Engineering Services Plumbing/ HVAC Contractors (both residential and commercial) Automatic Environmental Control Manufacturing Electric Power Generation and Distribution Air, Water and Waste Program Administration Solid Waste Collection Wind turbine manufacturing and repair* (two NAICS)

New & Emerging green occupations? Total of 490 green job vacancies during fourth quarter Equivalent to1.9 percent of total job vacancies during the quarter. Found in –46 NAICS industries –57 SOC occupations Conservation PlannerEnergy Engineer Weatherization/Retrofit Installers and Technician Recycling and Reclamation Worker Water/Wastewater EngineerLean Manufacturing Engineer Supply Chain ManagerSustainability Coordinator Green R&D SpecialistRemediation Project Manager Building Systems TechnicianAir Quality Control Specialist

Knowledge requirements - preliminary Energy-efficient building design, modifications to buildings, and manufacturing processes State/federal environmental regulations, policies, and/or permitting processes Scientific monitoring and measuring techniques

Skills requirements - preliminary Mechanical (HVAC, water/sewer systems, hydraulics) Project management Business acumen needed to develop demand in emerging markets and understand market potential of new technologies

Connections to other workforce development efforts/partners Inventory of post-secondary programs preparing students for green careers (MnSCU) Interactive map of programs, apprenticeships, and industry-recognized certifications (DOLI, OES) Career information will include four career pathways, 40 career profiles and 17 career videos (ISEEK)

Connections to other workforce development efforts Skills\Knowledge taxonomies for potential use by: EMPLOYERS to determine the competencies needed by their future workforce either through recruitment or internal development EDUCATION PLANNERS to align curricula to business needs JOBSEEKERS and STUDENTS to get guidance on training and experience needed to enter or transfer into viable green occupations

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