For those involved in the Green Energy profession, what would you advise a young person

[bobbolink]

who is interested in following this as a career?

He is finishing up his Associate's degree. Would it be better for him to go to a trade school, or get a Bachelor's degree?

This is a young person I know as an acquaintance, and I am proud of him for overcoming several barriers, and would like to give him some reliable information.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

[phantom power]

1. What kind of work does he want to do?

[bobbolink]

3. I think he is open to all possibilities... whatever can't be outsourced. ^_^

[phantom power]

5. Does he want to be an engineer, or a mechanic, or an accountant, or a lawyer, or marketing?

You could do any of those things, and more, in the renewable energy industry.

[bobbolink]

6. Thanks... I hadn't thought of that, but it makes sense. From the way he was talking, it sounds like

he wants to be involved in the planning or in the building.

He was talking about the solar farm I mentioned to him in the San Luis valley, and he thinks it is fulfilling most of the energy needs there, and that is what he wants to do.

I'm beginning to think it would be good for him to register here, if he can (he is working full time AND trying to finish up classes), to ask directly.

Appreciate the info!

[ixion]

2. get certified as an alternative energy designer or installer... or both

and hope on into business.

[bobbolink]

4. Thank you! Are these Union jobs? He wants to be Union.

I will pass this on to him.

I know nothing about this..... would he be better off going to technical school, or getting a Bachelor's to get this certification?

Would it be best to first contact a Union in this field?

[kristopher]

8. I'd recommend possibly

going to tech school as an electrician first, with an eye towards renewables.

That would probably provide a job as an appretice electrician in short order, and the company would help him become a journeyman (that usually includes paying for his classes), and he would be getting hands on experience that would allow him to decide the direction he wants to go once he understands the field better.

I've recommended this to a couple of people who seem to be pleased with the path. Electricians have a comparatively high barrier to entry for the field and that translates into the kind of job security I think I hear being asked for.

[bobbolink]

11. That's really helpful information.. thank you!

Getting help with paying for classes... that's something I hadn't even thought of.

Great! :hi:

[ixion]

10. hmmmm... yeah, not sure about unions in this area

The certifications are through the state (at least in Florida) and include requisite classes that are available at the local university. I imagine it varies from state to state, but it's an emerging field so there isn't a huge formalized curriculum as far as I know.

Hope this helps! :toast:

[bobbolink]

12. I think he had found that there were classes in tech school, and he is also thinking about

going for a 4-year degree at a community college. I suggested he look into whether he can "challenge" classes that would also be transferable.

You are right.. the unions probably vary by state.

"there isn't a huge formalized curriculum as far as I know."

That's what I was wondering, and what you also made me think of in this statement is looking toward the future.... by also getting classes as he learns the trade, he can hopefully work himself into teaching jobs later on. I know that some of these tech jobs wear a person down physically, and it is good to prepare for that damned aging process!

Thanks! You are bringing up a lot of good things to consider!

[AndyTiedye]

7. LEDs are the Lighting of the (Very Near) Future

Pretty much everything that takes a bulb will soon be using LEDs.
There will be a lot of work in new and retrofitted lighting.

LED technology is moving faster than any of the other "green" technologies at this point IMHO.

[bobbolink]

9. That's good to know.. thank you! Maybe there is a Union relating to this?

I'm assuming this would also require being certified, as mentioned above?

This is really important to know! :hi:

[AndyTiedye]

19. Depends

Installing the stuff is probably the job of an electrician.
Electricians are licensed, and often unionized.

The design of these is engineering or a mix or art and technology,
and unlikely to have a union unless he starts one.

The "professional organizations" for engineers are not unions,
and are more likely to lobby against our interests than for them.

[bobbolink]

20. This is really helpful. Thank you so much! I hear you on the "professional

organizations". That just doesn't sound like him.

However, as I have been thinking of this, I think he would do well to keep taking classes, and be a teacher later on. I think he would do well with that.

I appreciate the info! :yourock:

[pscot]

13. Machinist

Mechanic, blacksmith. All skilled trades. Machinists are always in demand.

[bobbolink]

14. Thank you. Do you know how one would specialize in alternative energy in that field?

[pscot]

15. Someone has to fabricate the parts

that go into all those turbines. The skill set is portable. A good mechanic is worth his weight in gold.

[bobbolink]

16. That is very helpful. Thanks.

One just has to hope the parts will be made in the U.S.

[pscot]

17. That's where your boy comes in

We have to start somewhere.

[NYC_SKP]

18. Utility companies might have an "earn while you learn" program...

...in which the young person could be apprenticing while taking classes, all leading to a secure career or if they choose to leave to another related field, plenty of great experience, and possibly college credits and trade certifications.

The workforce throughout the energy sector is aging.

Utilities and generation facilities, like hydropower, can't find enough qualified young people.

Add to that new green energy jobs in wind, solar, energy efficiency, etc., and you have a growing job market.

Good luck to them.

:thumbsup: