Meet The New Players In The Great Employment Race

15th of September 2008 - 1:53 PM

The Green Collars

As traditionally larger firms downsize, shut down factories and lay off workers, the sustainability industry is still powering ahead. One example, TPI Composites Inc, according to Brian Skoloff from theAssociated Press, entered the renewable energy industry to capitaliseon a setback from another. When a Maytag appliance factory closed itsdoors, TPI was keen to "transform the workforce away from theMaytag-type jobs of the past into jobs that can withstand the test oftime going forward."

Such is the idea behind the 'green collar' job. As traditionalblue collar workers are laid off, companies are finding ways totranslate their skills into the green business sector.

With climate change poised to become an undeniable factor inmany business projections, companies are keen to move into thesustainability sector. Even presidential candidates are getting onboard, Skoloff reports. Democrats Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama bothsay they would funnel federal money into job-training programs forworkers to become skilled in green industries, among other initiatives.

Randall Swisher, the executive Director of the American WindEnergy Association, estimate that by 2030, nearly half a million newjobs will be created across all levels of the wind industry, includingmanufacturing, construction and operation. Additional jobs will besupplied by the ever-increasing solar industry and other sustainabilitydriven sectors.