Biofuel is likely to be a growing industry. But in 2009? It's still small potatoes.
While it was recently reported that green jobs and clean-energy jobs have been growing at a decent pace since 1998, their influence on the current job market has been rather limited.
The Obama administration would like to see environmentally conscious businesses and technologies become a major part of how the United States thrives in coming years. But are we really anywhere near that goal?
Not quite, some would argue — but it is coming. An article in the Associated Press gives a nice overview of the current state of green jobs. From the article:
- The recession has walloped the clean energy sector like every other, and no one is going on a hiring spree right now. Companies have shelved plans for wind farms, solar parks and biofuels plants. Some have laid off workers. Others have been forced to seek bankruptcy protection.
- Still, this is a growth field, and most agree business will pick up later this year or in 2010.
That’s about the earliest analysts will be able to measure the effects of economic-stimulus money from the government. But what is the potential? From the same AP article:
- Q: What kinds of renewable energy jobs are there?
- A: Just about any job found in a traditional industry can apply to renewables. But a few fields stand out.
- Solar and wind turbine manufacturing plants will need assembly line workers. Mechanics, electricians and maintenance workers will be needed for wind farms, solar parks and biofuels plants. And many types of science and engineering positions will be central to the growth of the industry.
- Q: How is the federal money being allocated?
- The package includes about $21 billion in tax incentives for renewable energy manufacturers, which has been a key source of funding to help them lure additional investments.
- About $11 billion is being earmarked for improving the nation’s overcrowded, aging electricity system.
- Other allocations include: $6 billion, energy efficiency projects; $5 billion, weatherization program for low-income housing; $2 billion, advanced battery technology; $500 million, job training; $300 million, fuel-efficient vehicles for federal government use.
These ideas are further backed by other evidence. Take a look at the package of articles on the green economy and jobs from TheLadders for a bit more context. In one piece, Green-Collar Jobs: Myth or Reality?, one observer asserts:
- Recruiters don’t see the number of green jobs growing much in the next few years. So far, they have seen few new jobs that can be attributed specifically to either green technology or sustainable business practices, according to Daniel Casteel, managing director of the Nashville, Tenn. station of the Stanton Chase International executive-search firm.
- “There is a lot of retraining going on among executives,” Casteel said. “So far, we’re not seeing a lot (of job openings) specifically for sustainable or green technology. We need to answer those questions about where they’re going to be and what those titles will be, and how many of them (will exist).”
Want a larger picture on the state of Green Jobs? Look Here:
Green-Collar Jobs: Myth or Reality?
Green-Collar Jobs Glossary and Guide
What Exactly Is a Green-Collar Job?
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