New Green Jobs Don’t Require College Degree

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As solar incentives kick off during Energy Awareness Month, new jobs are opening up all across the nation. Solar installation careers are becoming bright futures for workers with less education.

Educational requirements for many clean technology installers are modest and are targeted to benefit those who did not commit to the four years of college. Most of these positions pay over $40,000 a year and offer rewarding opportunities for advancement in new green collar industry.

Workers between 18 and 24 from low-income families also may qualify to receive up to three years of free job training through the federal program Job Corps. Serving around 100,000 students a year, Job Corps is “the best-kept secret in this country,” admits program director Esther Jacobs.

The federal stimulus bill has emphasized the future of green jobs by putting billions into alternative energy and energy conservation. Public and private institutions are turning their focus towards preparing this new wave of green collar employees for the working world.

Bryan Albrecht, president of Gateway Technical College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, revealed that classes in the field of solar installation are filling up fast as potential workers anticipate the boom in solar panel projects.

GREENandSAVE LLC., a Philadelphia-based company, has taken a private approach to new green worker education. Programs like these are open to students and adults looking to take advantage of the new eco-economy.

“The Eco-Academy is designed to give workers an edge in rising green businesses. It ranges from home efficiency consulting to specialized services such as solar installation services. We have even expanded it to include an online program,” said Charlie Szoradi, President of GREENandSAVE.

New solar installations and other cutting edge, clean energy projects are providing opportunities for workers without a college degree to take full advantage of the environmental movement.