Looking for a job? Going green could be your best option. Nearly a quarter of last year’s job postings required at least one „green skill,“ according to the latest data from LinkedIn. This trend highlights the increasing demand for environmentally conscious workers in various industries.
Some green jobs require a bachelor’s degree, but there are plenty that simply require a high school education. Institutions around the country are recognizing the need for green skills and are adopting training programs that not only educate but also help break down barriers for individuals looking to enter the workforce.
Scripps News recently visited a room of people who are potentially the future of one of the fastest-growing job fields: green jobs. For some of them, this training class couldn’t have come at a better time. Charina Scott, a participant in the Green Core Training program, expressed her gratitude for the program, stating, „I think I already have a job, thanks to the program.“
Backed by Kansas City, the nonprofit KC Can Compost offers a five-week class called Green Core Training, which educates students about the environment while providing valuable job training. Instructor Bruce Holloway explained, „It is not specific job training. It’s literacy training around environmental issues, problems, and solutions, and then the jobs that are attached to those solutions.“
Two green jobs that don’t require college degrees, wind turbine technicians and solar installers, have a projected increase of over 50% into 2030, according to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Additionally, the median annual wage for green occupations is more than $45,000, surpassing the average American median wage.
„Municipalities, in particular, are interested in greening their operations. So, there’s jobs there. Transportation, building energy, food, health, and agriculture—all of these sectors have jobs attached to them,“ Holloway emphasized. The demand for green jobs is evident, and the opportunities are diverse across various industries.
A study by the Brookings Institution revealed that many workers are not aware of the multitude of green jobs available. The study also indicated that millions more workers are needed in the green job sector. Holloway emphasized, „We’ve always felt like green jobs were the future, but the future is now. It’s here.“
Courtnie Beasley, another participant in green-jobs training, highlighted the importance of these programs in providing tools to pursue her passion for nonprofits that help keep teens off the streets by showcasing available career options. She stated, „There are teenagers that do want jobs, and you can explore the basic needs that help everybody.“
„It’s good to see people go toward a green job or talk about becoming more involved in their neighborhood, or just getting more interested in things that they may not have had much awareness about,“ Holloway concluded. The shift towards green jobs is not only beneficial for the environment but also for individuals seeking fulfilling and impactful career opportunities.