Green jobs are a part of a brand new employment sector that's expected to grow in the coming years. A green job, or green collar job, refers to employment at Hawaii businesses that work to reduce pollution and waste or help clean and protect the environment. Jobs in renewable energy sources are a great example of green jobs.
Given this is a new industry which will be growing rapidly and will likely put America back on the manufacturing map, there is a high demand for a new type of skilled workers. Green job training programs have cropped up around the country to help prepare workers for these new green collar jobs.
Green Jobs Training Programs in Hawaii
Below are training programs and certifications for various types of green jobs.
Hawaii LEED Certification Programs
When it comes to green building certifications LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the gold standard. LEED has become very popular in the last couple of years and community colleges now offer LEED certification programs. The U.S. Green Building Council is likewise a superb resource for locating LEED certification programs in your town.
Hawaii Energy Auditor Training
An energy auditor examines a business or home to find where energy has been lost or wasted and makes recommendations for making the building more energy efficient. Some areas are now beginning to require homeowners have an energy audit before they can sell their house. Anyone who has a background in engineering, home inspections or building are energy auditor naturals. Consult with your community college to see if they have energy auditor courses. The Association of Energy Engineers or Everblue both offer energy auditor training in Hawaii.
Hawaii Ecotourism Training
Ecotourism has become popular since many vacationers are now wanting to be more environmentally friendly in their excursions. If you enjoy, travel, nature and science then a career in ecotourism may be just what you're searching for. Some Hawaii colleges offer classes in ecotourism. In Thailand the Ecotourism Training Center has established the Sustainable Marine Adventures Responsible Tourism (S.M.A.R.T.) training program.
Renewable Energy Training Programs in Hawaii
Hawaii renewable energy sources include solar, wind and geothermal energy sources. The popularity in all three are growing by the day. If you are interested in geothermal technologies the International Ground Source Heat Pump Association provides workshops and training. For those wanting to get a green job in wind energy the Interstate Renewable Energy Council and NABCEP both offer training in wind power and turbines.
In addition to the organizations stated earlier, there are also many local, state and national green jobs training programs.
Education Levels for Green Jobs Training in Hawaii
Many people may be wondering or even concerned about what level of education they need to have in order to be a part of Hawaii green jobs training programs. The good news is that for many training programs students have to have a minimum of a high school diploma.
Some green jobs training in Hawaii will require a college degree or enrollment in college. Others, like energy auditing, requires other specialized knowledge. The level of education needed is mainly dependent on the type of green job you're interested in. One of the first things you need to do is consult with the certification program to determine what education prerequisites are needed.
Green jobs promise to supply workers with good paying, long term employment. Use the information above to learn more about green jobs training in Hawaii.