Green Collar Association:
THE GREEN WORKFORCE PREPAREDENESS INITIATIVE
The opportunity is clear: millions of new jobs and global leadership in the worldwide green economy.
The motivation is strong: avoid irreparable damage to the environment and global economy while enhancing national security and prosperity.
The inevitability is clear: India, China, and Europe, as evidenced by their economic policies and multi-billion dollar investments, are committed to leading the charge.
Achieving a green economy is not a question of "if" or even "when", but rather one of "how." The first mover will lead the energy infrastructure of the future. Transforming the economy requires not only new technologies and a vision of tomorrow, but also a green collar workforce – uniting blue and white collar, equipped with a new set of skills and tools to make them successful and grow the economy at large.
THE GREEN WORKFORCE PREPAREDENESS INITIATIVE
We propose that the Federal government provide targeted financial and regulatory incentives to corporations, labor unions, and non profits that invest in the (re)training and education of skilled workers and professionals to equip them with the skills and tools to address the requirements of a green economy.
THIS INITIATIVE WILL RESULT IN:
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MORE JOBS: Creation and retention of jobs, for professionals as well as skilled workers, that would otherwise be shipped overseas
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COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE: A higher skilled and more capable workforce that will spur new ideas and innovations, allowing our corporations to be the leaders in the new economy
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CLEANER ENVIRONMENT: Those working in the green economy become better stewards of their own environment
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IMPROVED STANDARD OF LIVING: Great opportunity for working poor to learn new skills and in doing so elevate themselves and improve their standards of living
The justification for "greening" the economy is deeply rooted in well-established science and national security, but many of the market mechanisms have yet to be developed because of the significant transformation required. Government has a role to play to stimulate the market. This is evidenced by some of the biggest economic transformations of modern times: from the growth of the railroad, to the advent of the airline industry, and the explosion of information technology. History has proven these transformations to generate a net positive benefit on our economies, our standards of living, and our lives.
While tens of billions have been committed to subsidizing technological innovations and infrastructure for a green economy, little has been done to prepare the workforce for the millions of jobs that will require a new set of skills. A transition to a green economy without significant development in workforce skills will only mean that many of the jobs will be sent overseas – depriving our economies of millions of good paying jobs and a leadership role in a multi-trillion dollar market.
The green economy will be driven by consumers, corporations, governments, non profits, and the engine of our economy: the workforce. While individuals have a personal responsibility to acquire the skills that the economy demands, corporations and other organizations such as labor unions are the ones who ultimately will prepare an inclusive green collar workforce – blue and white collar alike.
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Green Collar Association
Green Collar Association represents 85,000 members of the workforce, educational community, and corporations who share a common objective: to position North America to lead the green economy. Our member website, Greencollar.org is a clearinghouse that supports green collar job growth through education and training. We do this by connecting members of the workforce individually, and through their corporations, with educational opportunities that equip them with knowledge of trends and best practices to perform the roles and tasks required for the green economy.
What is a Green Collar Job?
Green Collar jobs combine the efforts of the white collar and blue collar sectors. A Green Collar job has two simple elements: 1) a net positive impact on the environment; and 2) provides a living wage. Green collar jobs span the workforce: from accountants who include calculating carbon offsets, to electricians connecting energy generated by alternative sources to the grid or directly installing on a building, and workers manufacturing household water recycling systems.
Why Now?
The opportunity for action is upon us now. With the upcoming international climate change conference in Copenhagen, recent developments in Europe as well as India and China, and the bills currently sitting before Congress, change is coming in a real way. Billions upon billions of dollars are being committed by industry and governments worldwide. North America can assert itself as the global leader of this potentially multi-trillion dollar market, or it can become a follower. Support for Green Collar Association’s Green Workforce Preparedness Initiative will strengthen our position in the global green economy.