Green Energy Careers
What does green mean, anyway? What does a green job in energy look like?
A green career is one that has a direct or essential impact on a product, service, or process that results in environmental benefits. While green jobs are found across all industries, the most likely place to find them is energy, especially in renewable energy generation (jobs like ethanol production workers and wind turbine service technicians) and building-related energy efficiency (jobs like solar photovoltaic installers and construction and building inspectors).
Green Jobs and Competencies in Energy
Green jobs in energy are very similar to traditional energy jobs. For example, there are similar responsibilities in operating both a coal- or gas-fired plant and operating a wind farm. So, do green credentials truly help you become more employable?
Energy efficiency is an important goal for energy employers and for the government that heavily regulates most of the industry. For this reason, some kind of knowledge and expertise in energy efficiency will have to become a standard requirement for most workers in the future. What green expertise and credentials can help you become more employable in the energy field?
Energy Generation (renewable and non-renewable fuels)
- Learn skills in planning, designing, installing, repairing, and maintaining emissions control equipment to improve the energy efficiency of existing power plants and reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases.
- These skills are relevant for power plant operators, process operators, engineers, information technology careers, and computer systems engineers.
Energy Transmission and Distribution
- Learn skills in planning, designing, installing, repairing, and maintaining energy delivery and distribution systems including emissions control equipment or Smart Grid technology.
- Examples of green workers in this sub-industry include lineworkers who know about new Smart Grid technology, substation mechanics who can install and maintain Smart Grid technology at substations, meter technicians who can install Smart meters or demand meters, power engineers who can plan and design new transmission and distribution systems including Smart Grid technology.
Source: Adapted from the Center for Energy Workforce Development report, Greening of the Industry (244KB, .pdf)
Learn More About Green Jobs in Minnesota
Visit ISEEK's green careers website. Or, dive in to more specific topics about green:
- Browse green careers that are common in Minnesota.
- Learn about skills, knowledge, and competencies needed in green jobs.
- Watch videos about green careers.
- Learn how to green your resume or move into a green job.
