Many of the green jobs currently out there, as well as the ones coming within the next few years, will either require certification or special education within the green sector, or consider this a “nice-to-have” by hiring managers and recruiters.

Where can we find this education?

It’s surprising how quickly many of these programs have popped up at local technical schools, community colleges, online courses, and even at major universities.

There are also many regional programs provided by non-profits and energy-related organizations.

I’ll use my local area of Madison, WI as an example of what’s available in green education:

• The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) – the MREA provides workshops, certification programs and information for PV, solar thermal and wind assessor training.
• Both Madison Area Technical College (MATC) and UW – Madison provide a program for a Certificat in Renewable Energy Technology by teaming up with Consortium for Education in Renewable Energy Technology (CERET). Programs are also offered through CERET in CA.
• UW – Madison’s Center for Business, Environment and Social Responsibility (BESR) – A joint venture between the Wisconsin School of Business and the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies offers graduate students a Certificate in Business, Environment and Social Responsibility. The certificate provides knowledge and skills in applying business principles to environmental and social challenges and to prepare students for handling sustainability issues with day to day management decision making. BESR also offers free luncheon seminars, resources and valuable information for non-students.
• Wisconsin’s Focus On Energy offers education and training programs in various sectors including Schools Practical Energy Management, Ligthing, HVACR, Healthcare and more.

These are a few examples and I’m sure I could round up a few more – a lot more if I went on a regional search.

The key is to check out your local scene – especially your local colleges – when searching for green education. It’s a good step in getting that green position you’re looking for.

If you’re just starting your college career and you’re interested in jumping into renewable energy or green IT, check out university colleges and programs. They are probably already there and more may be coming.

In fact, Green For All credits community colleges as a “vital” source of green education for the new green economy in their report on the role community colleges play in green education. The full report can be downloaded at their website.

Technical Green’s resources section has even more links and information on green education and certification. There are plenty of programs to choose from!

[edit]

I had to make another note on this post because, in my searches, I came across a farm in NY State that runs on renewable energy sources and they also offer educational programs in renewable energy.
Some of these include seminars and workshops in:

• wind
• photovoltaic
• solar thermal
• geothermal and
• micro hydro systems

as well as educational programs in:

• renewable energy systems for home and business
• farm tours
• farming with kids
• wool spinning
• making goat cheese

Visit Apple Pond Farm if you can. I know I’d love to go!