With billions of dollars invested in green technologies, a movement is growing to create thousands of green jobs in Washington, DC. A growing number of new career opportunities will be available over the next decade as businesses, community activists, and elected officials develop policies on green building, clean energy, coastal restoration, and climate change. In order to meet the demand for skilled workers to provide services in the green economy, many workers will need to be retrained.
Washington DC strives to lead the development of new green jobs training and career development programs across the country.
In February 2009, the DC Office of Planning, along with the Washington DC Economic Association and the DC Department of Employment Services, completed a green jobs demand analysis. The report concludes the following:
- There are currently about 22,000 green jobs in Washington DC, just over 3 percent of the total workforce.
- Emerging green initiatives could generate more than 169,000 green job opportunities in DC between 2009 and 2018. Most of these opportunities are the result of private sector real estate development projects that must comply with the Green Construction Act.
- Occupations that require less training: construction workers, roofers, painters, landscapers and office workers.
- Occupations requiring moderate job training: carpenters, construction trade supervisors, operating engineers and construction equipment operators, electricians, and plumbers.
Green Jobs Initiatives and Training Programs in Washington DC
Green DMV is a non-profit organization that seeks to promote clean energy and green jobs in low-income communities throughout the United States as a path out of poverty. Its initial focus is on the DC area, including Washington, DC, Maryland, and Virginia.
The Green Jobs Expo showcases the many pathways to green jobs and careers. The Expo is held annually in Washington DC and provides information from academic institutions, manufacturers, non-profit agencies, corporations, and government agencies.
Everblue Training Institute is an accredited educational institution that has an extensive curriculum, including multiple BPI certifications, renewable energy training, HVAC training, RESNET HERS Rater, LEED accredited professional, NABCEP solar certification, corporate sustainability and carbon accounting. .
Classes are available throughout the US.
Green Job Search Websites and Additional Resources
Greenjobsearch.org – This job search engine specializes in people looking for green job opportunities across the country.
Green Dream Jobs – Job search service connects people with business skills with environmentally friendly employers that focus on energy efficiency and renewable energy generation, water and wastewater treatment, efficient industrial processes in resources, advanced materials, transportation and agriculture.
Green Collar Blog – This website provides information on green jobs, green job training, green job fairs, and more.
Eco.org – The website connects job seekers who really care about the environment with green employers looking for quality candidates. The wide range of sites includes: universities, environmental organizations, non-profit organizations, major news sites, and government departments.
Indeed – Indeed is a job listing search engine for over 500 websites, including job boards, newspapers, as well as hundreds of associations and company career pages. Advanced search options are available so you can search for jobs by company name, title, or maximum travel distance.
