by David Gibson and Tamara Wright
It is time to train a new labor force if we are to develop and sustain a green economy in Nevada. Nevada has people who are ready and available to work, the products and systems to install, and the ability to position itself to be a leader in green industries, but education is crucial.
Many of Northern Nevada’s high school graduates will be entering the working world in June with a national unemployment rate of 9.7%. Nevada’s unemployment rate is 13.4%, the worst in state history, and currently second highest in the nation – 2nd only to Michigan!
If we are going to succeed as a state we must place a level of urgency in our plans, focus our energy on collaboration, and work together to educate the children and re-skill adults.
Workforce training is essential to shift the local economy and to bridge gaps that exist between industry sectors, education programs, and market demand. If we focus education dollars on program development strategies we can begin to bridge some of these gaps.
Recently, Nevada’s Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation was awarded several grants for workforce training, some of which can be used for green jobs.
One example is the State Energy Sector Partnership Training Grant, providing $6 million to teach workers the skills required in emerging industries, including efficiency and renewable energy. The grant will be used to create an integrated system of education, training and supportive services that promote skill attainment and career pathway development for low-income, low-skilled workers leading to employment in green industries.
Northern Nevada’s higher education system is rising to the challenge as well. Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Renewable Energy to prepare students for jobs in solar, wind, geothermal and energy efficiency. University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) has created a Renewable Energy Center that “will focus efforts and coordinate programs for competitive research with plans to increase Nevada’s national stature in the renewable energy field.” UNR students can also earn a minor in Renewable Energy through the Engineering Department.
Over the last few years several non-profit organizations have also begun to work with educational institutions, collaborating to bring about real change in our students’ experience of sustainable practices and future possibilities. GREENevada Schools, is a new partnership with a mission to grow resources for environmental education in Nevada schools. GREENevada is a partnership between six organizations that are committed to making schools sustainable, believing that “every school can be green and every child can learn global responsibility through local example. Together, we can change the way students learn.”
Below is information on some of the groups involved in the GREENevada Schools’ effort and what each organization is doing to bring about systemic and sustainable change:
Envirolution has recently started Project ReCharge, a service-learning program for middle and high school students, which provides an opportunity for students to learn about building science, energy conservation and green careers while being empowered to take actions to reduce their school’s environmental impact. Students conduct a supervised energy audit of their school before creating a final report of cost-saving recommendations, which they present to school officials while emphasizing cost-effectiveness and available incentive programs. The project also demonstrates to students how they can save energy at home. www.envirolution.org
Urban Roots has been actively working with elementary school children for the last nine months changing the way kids eat and learn through place-based gardening and seed-to-table education. www.urgc.org
Black Rock Solar provides schools with educational field trips, consultations for solar installs, and on-the-job training in the field of solar. www.blackrocksolar.org
Sierra Nevada Journeys engages students in science and outdoor education while developing problem solving and critical thinking skills. www.sierranevadajourneys.org
NV Energy and the Desert Research Institute (DRI) created GreenPower to support the education of K-12 students in Renewable Energy and incorporating conscious living practices into their daily lives. www.nvenergy.com and www.dri.edu
Collaboration is the key to success and we have the start to great future! If we are successful, we will look to these moments as the foundation of the Green Economy in Nevada!
David Gibson is currently an AmeriCorps VISTA for Envirolution working on energy conservation service-learning programs. He has a degree in civil and environmental engineering and is a LEED Accredited Professional for building design and construction.
Tamara Wright, LEED AP, has a background in architecture, sustainable environments and community. Since coordinating the Women in Green Jobs roundtable for the Department of Labor, she has been working closely with Envirolution to expand their programs relating to green economic development and green jobs.
