Green jobs are a part of a new employment sector that's likely to grow in the coming years. A green job, or green collar job, refers to employment at Ohio businesses that work to reduce pollution and waste or help clean and protect the environment. Jobs in renewable energy sources are a fantastic illustration of green jobs.
Given this is a new industry that'll be expanding 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 Ohio
Below are training programs and certifications for various types of green jobs.
Ohio 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 well-accepted in the last several years and community colleges now offer LEED certification programs. The U.S. Green Building Council is also a superb resource for locating LEED certification programs in your area.
Ohio Energy Auditor Training
An energy auditor examines a business or home to find where energy is being lost or wasted and makes suggestions for making the building more energy efficient. Some areas are now beginning to require homeowners have an energy audit before they can sell their home. Individuals who have experience in engineering, home inspections or building are energy auditor naturals. Check with your community college to see if they provide energy auditor courses. The Association of Energy Engineers or Everblue both offer energy auditor training in Ohio.
Ohio Ecotourism Training
Ecotourism has grown to be 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 looking for. Some Ohio colleges offer classes in ecotourism. In Thailand the Ecotourism Training Center has created the Sustainable Marine Adventures Responsible Tourism (S.M.A.R.T.) training program.
Renewable Energy Training Programs in Ohio
Ohio renewable energy sources include solar, wind and geothermal energy sources. The excitement in all three are growing each 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 already mentioned, there are also many local, state and national green jobs training programs.
Education Levels for Green Jobs Training in Ohio
Many people may be wondering or even worried about what level of education they have to have in order to take part in Ohio green jobs training programs. The good news is that for many training programs students must have at the very least a high school diploma.
Some green jobs training in Ohio 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 check with the certification program to determine what education prerequisites are required.
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 Ohio.