Container Top
Homes   Jobs   Cars   Shopping
Search

Events Calendar

EVENT SEARCH:

In This Section


Most Read Stories


Blogs:


Pets:
Cats are trainable — and that's not a punchline

The Heldenfiles:
Monday Notebook

Patrick McManamon:
Time for Kokinis, Browns to agree and part ways

Akron Zips:
Zips tip off tomorrow

Tribe Matters:
Indians announce spring dates

Cleveland Browns:
Mangini doesn't name a quarterback

Kent State Sports:
KSU Notes – November 9

Cleveland Cavaliers:
Shaq: It’s All About Winning Championships

Buckeye Blogging:
Weekly ‘B’ Deck Report – New Mexico St.

Varsity Letters:
Walsh Jesuit’s Caponi commits to Duquesne

All Da King's Men:
If It Looks Like Islamic Terrorism…

Blog of Mass Destruction:
Dems Message To Women: Don't Enjoy The Sex

Akron Law Café:
Abortion Analogies

See Jane Style:
Muffle Your Muffler

Car Chase:
Clock Tender- Extending the Life of Collector Car Clocks

Let's Talk Real Estate:
Rumors: Akron Starbucks Closing

Ohio Travels with Betty:
Jack is looking for a trip to Southern Ohio the week of November 16.

Sound Check:
The Black Keys to perform benefit concert at Musica on November 27

HRLite House:
Personal Rant – Why People Do Not Live in Northeast Ohio

Akron Gamer:
New 'Call of Duty' could set entertainment record

'Green-collar' jobs enviable

Demand for employees in environmental positions likely to keep growing

By Paula Schleis
Beacon Journal business writer

What's a ''green-collar'' job?

More than 14 million people in traditional white-collar and blue-collar occupations are going to find out.

That's how many existing jobs are expected to have a role in America's search for alternative energy sources, the fight against global warming and growing respect for a long-abused environment.

A study by the University of Massachusetts Amherst this month defines a green worker as one whose everyday job contributes to solving environmental problems.

That definition is drawing in more people every year.

For instance, the construction of wind farms is tapping sheet metal workers, machinists and truck drivers. Increasing the energy efficiency of a building employs roofers, insulators and building inspectors. Expanding mass transit systems will involve civil engineers, electricians and dispatchers.

And as workers in dozens of traditional occupations increase in demand, they'll likely see their compensations rise and enjoy greater job security, the report said.

Last week, the United Steelworkers and the Blue Green Alliance stopped in Canton and Cleveland on a tour to educate members about their future.

Lee Geisse, a 22-year maintenance employee at Allegheny Ludlum in Louisville, took a yearlong leave to work with the union in spreading hope to a steel industry that has been devastated by job cuts and closures.

Once the green economy really gets rolling, she said, steel industry employees will be needed to build wind turbines, retrofit buildings, and assemble solar panels.

''We realize it's a whole new world out there. Alternative energies are going to be huge and it will be here sooner than we think,'' Geisse said. '' . . . We're ready. We have the expertise.''

Still confused about that green-collar?

Today the Beacon Journal introduces you to five people who already are wearing them.

 


Paula Schleis can be reached at 330-996-3741 or pschleis@thebeaconjournal.com.

 

What's a ''green-collar'' job?

Get the full article here.


Story tools

Email  Email   Print  Print   Save  Save   Reprint  Reprint   Popular  Most Popular   Reprint  Subscribe

Share this story

AddThis Social Bookmark Button
















Most Commented Stories