Survey shows training for green jobs should address job shortages

(ADPnews) - Oct 29, 2010 - There is a need for national and state training for green jobs to address job shortages that are impairing growth in green industries, according to a survey by the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE), a non-profit professional society.

The survey on green jobs and energy industry market trends is based on more than 1,500 responses from energy professionals currently employed in the field. Sixty percent of the professionals surveyed indicated a need for green-job training to support growth in green industries, which include energy-efficient buildings and construction, renewable electric power, energy-efficient vehicles and biofuel development.

The survey showed there were many opportunities to create a new workforce based on the innovative technologies being deployed as well as the number of experienced professionals scheduled to exit the energy industry.

Albert Thumann, AEE's executive director, said that the need to develop a pool of qualified energy and green-collar professionals servicing the commercial, industrial and governmental marketplace has never been greater. "There is a dire need to implement programmes and policies to stimulate effective energy efficiency training. The jobs are there -- the skilled professionals to fulfil them may not be," he added.

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