How To Find Green Jobs and Alternative Energy Careers

Green Jobs Will Be Red Hot

Green jobs are hot, even during the current recession. The government is spending billions of dollars of taxpayer money to give the alternative energy industry a boost. Some of the best jobs will be in solar, wind and other alternative energy technologies.

Other good green jobs will be found in home energy efficiency, for which the federal government has also allocated billions of dollars in the form of rebates to homeowners for adding energy saving measures such as extra insulation.

How To Get A Green Job

There are many types of jobs that could be considered "green jobs". These include solar electric roof panel (PV) installers, solar hot water heater installers, wind turbine technicians, insulation contractors, geothermal heating and cooling contractors, geothermal energy plant technicians, jobs in biofuels manufacturing and more.

What Green Job Fits You Best?

The first step in determining what kind of green job you may be best suited for is to take inventory of both your work experience and what kind of career might suit you best for the long haul after training. If you have prior construction skills, such as roofing, you might consider applying to a local installer of rooftop solar electric panels. They will hire qualified roofers to work alongside journeyman electricians to install the systems.

Solar hot water heater installation companies hire journeyman plumbers and unskilled laborers to assist them.

In the field of wind energy there are training programs at a growing number of colleges that prepare individuals for a career in the industry. One of the best is at Mesalands Community College in New Mexico. Those seeking a career working on wind turbines should not have a fear of heights and be in good physical shape.

Starting Your Own Green Business

If you would rather be your own boss there are some great small business opportunities in the green economy. One that you can start for under $2000 is become a certified home energy rater, which is a kind of home inspector. By attending classes that last just a few weeks, you can become RESNET or Residential Energy Services Network rater.

RESNET home inspections are officially recognized by the mortgage industry for capitalizing a building’s energy performance in the mortgage loan. They are also used for certification of white tags for private financial investors, and by the federal government for verification of building energy performance for such programs as tax incentives, the ENERGY STAR program and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Program.

Green Jobs For Veterans

For veterans, including those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, an organization called Veterans Green Jobs offers training in home energy audits with RESNET endorsments as well as training in biofuels and green building.

Other Green Businesses

Another green business that you can start is in the area of home attic insulation and installing radiant barrier insulation. Machines that blow in cellulose insulation can be purchased for under $5000 and only basic tools are needed to install radiant barrier material in attics.

Check with you local and state government for information on what you need to qualifiy as a licensed insulation contractor.

You might also consider solar window film installation and solar window screen insulation as a potential small business opportunity.

As more innovations come to the marketplace there will be more opportunities to get a green job in the coming decade.

For photos of a wind farm see: Wind Farm Photos