Green jobs are an integral part of a new employment sector that is expected to grow in the coming years. A green job, or green collar job, refers to employment at Maryland businesses that work to minimize pollution and waste or help clean and protect the environment. Jobs in alternative energy are a fantastic example of green jobs.
Given that this is a new industry that'll be growing rapidly and will likely put America back on the manufacturing map, there's a high demand for a new kind 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 Maryland
Below are training programs and certifications for various kinds of green jobs.
Maryland 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 well-accepted in the last couple of years and community colleges now offer LEED certification programs. The U.S. Green Building Council is also an excellent resource for locating LEED certification programs in your town.
Maryland Energy Auditor Training
An energy auditor examines a business or home to find where energy has been lost or wasted and makes suggestions for making the property more energy efficient. Some areas are now starting to require homeowners have an energy audit before they can sell their home. Anyone who has experience in engineering, home inspections or building are energy auditor naturals. Talk 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 Maryland.
Maryland Ecotourism Training
Ecotourism has become popular since many vacationers are now trying to be more eco-friendly in their excursions. If you enjoy, travel, nature and science then a career in ecotourism may be just what you're looking for. Some Maryland 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 course.
Renewable Energy Training Programs in Maryland
Maryland renewable energy sources include solar, wind and geothermal energy sources. The excitement in all three are growing everyday. If you're 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 mentioned above, there are also many local, state and national green jobs training programs.
Education Levels for Green Jobs Training in Maryland
Many people may be wondering or even worried about what level of education they need to have in order to be a part of Maryland green jobs training programs. The good news is that for many training programs students must have no less than a high school diploma.
Some green jobs training in Maryland 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 primary things you need to do is check with the certification program to determine what education prerequisites are expected.
Green jobs promise to supply workers with good paying, long term employment. Use the information above to find out more about green jobs training in Maryland.