Getting on the Road to a Green Career
A Working Green Factsheet...
With more than $50 billion in federal stimulus money going to training and investment in the renewable energy sector, green-collar jobs could soon be a bright spot of growth in our struggling economy.
According to one study, green jobs are expected to grow at an annual rate of 1.3 million, making it a great time to begin a career in what looks to be a driving industry of the future.
But how do you get on the ground floor in the new renewable energy sector?
Training is key – whether you are a long time union member or just starting out in the field. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has the programs to teach you how to install the entire gamut of new green technologies, from solar panels to wind turbines to building retrofitting.
Skilled electricians – those who completed a recognized union apprenticeship program – already have many of the skills needed to do the work professionally and safely and are in increasing need as green power takes off.
And for many years now, union training facilities across the country – jointly funded by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers and the National Electrical Contractors Association – have been incorporating green energy into their curriculum.
More than 70 training centers across the country offer photovoltaic training and last year, the IBEW launched a 40-hour wind turbine “boot camp” in five states, with the program expected to branch out to other locations soon.
Recently the National Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee – a partnership between the IBEW and union electrical contractors – unveiled its Green Jobs curriculum which collects more than 70 green training lessons into one single curriculum.
The NJATC has 285 training centers across the country offering apprenticeship programs. Solar training is provided to every apprentice enrolled in an inside or residential apprenticeship program. Last year, the IBEW launched a 40-hour wind turbine “boot camp” in five states, with the program expected to branch out to other locations soon.
To get started on the road to a good-paying green career, you have to be accepted into an apprenticeship program. Five-year apprenticeship programs involve 8,000 hours of on-the-job training along with a minimum of 900 hours of classroom instruction.
The latest in green technology, including solar panels, wind turbines and programmable logic controllers are available for both apprentices and skilled journeymen to hone their skills.
Previous electrical work will sometimes be credited towards the completion of your apprenticeship.
And unlike community colleges, apprentices earn while they learn, taking home a paycheck as soon they begin the program.
Once you graduate, you don’t need to search the classified for jobs. Your IBEW local will help find you work with one of its signatory contractors. At many universities you can use your training to help get a college degree. The American Council on Education recommends that graduates of the NJATC inside apprenticeship program receive 55 college credits.
The program requires you to have a high-school diploma and at least one year of high school algebra. You must also pass an aptitude test and be drug free.
In some cases, new job classifications allow electricians with some experience to start working immediately as an IBEW member. Check with the IBEW local nearest you to find out more. : http://www.ibew.org/IBEW/directory/index.asp
To contact an IBEW training center near you, click here: http://www.njatc.org/training/find.aspx
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