Green jobs are a part of a brand new employment sector that is anticipated to grow in the coming years. A green job, or green collar job, refers to employment at North Carolina businesses that work to minimize pollution and waste or help clean and protect the environment. Jobs in renewable energy sources are a great illustration of green jobs.
Given that this is a new industry which will be growing rapidly and will likely put America back on the manufacturing map, there's a high demand for a new type of skilled workers. Green job training programs have cropped up throughout the country to help get workers ready for these new green collar jobs.
Green Jobs Training Programs in North Carolina
Below are training programs and certifications for different kinds of green jobs.
North Carolina LEED Certification Programs
When it comes to green building certifications LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the defacto standard. LEED has become quite popular in the last several years and community colleges now offer LEED certification programs. The U.S. Green Building Council is likewise an excellent resource for locating LEED certification programs in your town.
North Carolina Energy Auditor Training
An energy auditor examines a company 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 a background in engineering, home inspections or building are energy auditor naturals. Check 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 North Carolina.
North Carolina Ecotourism Training
Ecotourism is becoming popular because so 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 searching for. Some North Carolina 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 North Carolina
North Carolina renewable energy sources include solar, wind and geothermal energy sources. The popularity in all three are growing by the day. 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 North Carolina
Many people may be wondering or even concerned about what level of education they should have in order to be a part of North Carolina green jobs training programs. The good news is that for many training programs students must have a minimum of a high school diploma.
Some green jobs training in North Carolina 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 initial things you need to do is consult with the certification program to find out what education prerequisites are required.
Green jobs promise to supply workers with good paying, long term employment. Use the information above to learn more about green jobs training in North Carolina.