5 States Chosen for Green Career Program
July 9, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Green Living
At the end of June, the U.S. Department of Education and its National Research Center for Career and Technical Education (NRCCTE) announced that five states will receive technical assistance from the center to develop green-focused “programs of study” in career and technical education.
The chosen states: Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Oregon.
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan notes, “Green means healthier learning environments for students and adults, plus lower energy costs and a stronger economy… green programs of study support the administration’s goal of expanding a green workforce by preparing students for high-skill, high-wage jobs in a clean energy economy.”
I wasn’t too shocked to see Oregon on the list – but it still made front page news here in Portland, OR, where I’m located. The other states I don’t follow as closely when it comes to green issues, but green career training program development is good deal no matter which state it starts in. According to the NRCCTE, the states chosen have proposed the following areas of study and development…
- Georgia – energy, construction and transportation.
- Illinois – energy, utilities and waste management.
- New Jersey – various industries. (huh)
- Ohio – energy, biotech and agriculture.
- Oregon – wind, solar and construction.
All five participating states will be participating in a 14-month process to develop “green-focused” programs. Also, each state will work with a facilitator who will provide ongoing assistance and consultation from content experts.
With all the ongoing pushing by the current administration to use green careers as a vehicle to help the country, it’s good to know that some new training and courses of study are being developed. It makes it seem less like just talk, and more significant.
[image via stock.xchng]
