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.

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Post from: Blisstree

5 States Chosen for Green Career Program

First of all – look where you like. Places like Gaiam, Origins, The Arbor Day Foundation and Whole Foods all list career pages. You can search the job boards, or go right to the source. If there’s a green company you’re interested in, odds are they have a job page at their website. However, if you do want job boards, read on…

Green job boards:

The Treehugger job boards list all sorts of green jobs. From PETA marketers, to staff accountants, to green tech, to fashion interns, this job board has a little something for everyone.

Find a job working for one of the many green non-profits – i.e. the Environmental Defense Fund, the National Audobon Society, the Rainforest Alliance, the Sierra Club and more. Part of the much larger Green Jobs Network.

Grist job boards – all kinds of green jobs. Plus, it’s been updated much more frequently as of late.

Renewable energy related green jobs.

Green Dream Jobs has many cool gigs to browse.

Excellent and frequently updated list of green job expos and conferences.

Green Gigs is a great board. They don’t post scads of jobs, but always seem to post good ones. Plus since this is ablog, not just job board, they post helpful tips, interviews with green employees, and more.

Environmental jobs – lots of mainly upper level green jobs.

If you’re into green building, urban planning, or eco-architecture, the Green Construction Guide is a must read.

Also see the previous post; California’s Green Job Guidebook

Are you searching for a green job right now? What sort?

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Post from: Blisstree

Where are all the green jobs?

The guidebook covers the following.

• Profiles of 200 green jobs that are currently available in California
• Details on 45 job types for high school grads, many paying over $25 per hour
• Information on job training and placement programs
• Listings of apprenticeship programs

The Environmental Defense Fund notes that many of the green jobs and careers covered are available to applicants with less formal education and less traditional job experience. In this economy, that’s good news. Download the Green Jobs Guidebook for free.

Other California green job resources:

• The California Green Corps is coming soon to provide green job training for at-risk youth and young adults.
• California Green Jobs – listings of all sorts of green jobs.
• Where are California’s green jobs?

So, is California the only place with green jobs? Nope, not even close. Stay tuned to Blisstree Green for upcoming posts about green jobs in other areas.

Post from: Blisstree

California’s Green Jobs Guidebook

Some eco highlights of Obama’s first 100 days include:

• Sierra Club Executive Director Carl Pope says, “President Obama has done more to lay the foundation for the clean energy future in three months than has been done in the previous three decades,” said Pope. “His economic recovery plan, the budget, and a sweeping set of executive branch actions amount to a huge down payment on a cleaner, more prosperous future.“
• The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act started, which includes more than $60 billion in clean energy investments intended to jump-start the economy and build clean energy jobs of tomorrow. Not everyone is on board with green jobs, but for those who are, this is good news.
• Speaker Nancy Pelosi notes, “This budget and the recovery package that is its bookend are the greenest. This is the greenest budget in history and the stimulus is the greenest recovery package as well.“
• In January Obama decided to let 14 states create their own vehicle emissions standards and has also announced new regulations requiring improved fuel efficiency.

So far, the biggest critics are saying that green issues cost too much. And it does cost money to get things green, that’s pretty much non-debatable. On one side, with so few jobs, and the economy in the tank, I can see the critics side, but as an earth defender, I also think if we wait and wait for things to get better, and don’t take action the earth is also going to tank – we do sort of need a healthy planet to live on you know.

What do you think? Has Obama been green enough during his first 100 days? Too green and not focused enough on economics? Have your say in the comments.

Read the entire piece: Obama Earns Praise for Green Action in First 100 Days

[image via newscom]

Post from: Blisstree

Obama’s Green Action in First 100 Days