PrintName a job - it might just become a green career. For people seeking green collar work, the possibilities extend far beyond solar panels. Along with new careers in green building and biofuels, traditional trades like plumbing and electrical work are "greening" jobs with new skills. To meet demand in New Mexico, training is available in fields like solar, wind and water conservation.
What exactly is a green job? The New Mexico Economic Development Department defines green jobs as "familysupported career track jobs that contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental quality." A United Nations report says they "contribute appreciably to maintaining or restoring environmental quality and avoiding future damage to the Earth's ecosystems."
"Defining green jobs is a challenge," says Brendan Miller, green economy manager for the New Mexico Economic Development Department. "It comes down to clean energy, clean technology jobs."
Between 1998 and 2007, the number of green jobs in New Mexico grew by 50 percent, 25 times the rate of overall growth, according to the New Mexico Green Jobs Guidebook developed by Gov. Bill Richardson's Green Jobs Cabinet. Conservation and pollution mitigation were the largest sectors and clean energy grew at the fastest rate.
New Mexico State University is studying the number of green jobs in the state for the Department of Workforce Solutions. The 18-month project was funded by a $1.25 million stimulus grant from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, according to NMSU.
One goal is for New Mexico to become the "solar valley" of the United States, Miller says. According to the Green Jobs Cabinet, New Mexico also hopes to lead the country in exporting renewable energy and smart grid technology, increasing green building and energy efficiency and creating a skilled green work force.
The solar sector is particularly promising, Miller says. Several companies plan operations here, including Solar Distinction, which announced plans in February for a solar manufacturing plant in Albuquerque.
In January, Spanish company GA-Solar announced plans for a 300-megawatt solar power project in Guadalupe County, which is expected to add 300 jobs in construction and 75 permanent positions.
"We're starting to really have this solar cluster in the state," says Miller.
Biofuel and energy efficiency fields are also growing, Miller says.
He offers the example of a commercial algae biofuel demonstration project being developed by Sapphire Energy near Columbus in southern New Mexico. The San Diego-based company reported $104.5 million in federal grants and loans for the project.
Training opportunities are also expanding. A $6 million federal stimulus grant will target green job training across the state in solar, wind, biofuels and green building sectors, Miller says.
Green job training comes in many forms. While several New Mexico universities offer bachelor's degrees and postgraduate work in related fields like environmental engineering and conservation ecology, community colleges offer most short-term training opportunities.
Diane Burke, dean of the school of applied technologies at Central New Mexico Community College, says industry leaders advised CNM not to chase green jobs but to integrate green technology skills into existing programs. Students will then have core skills no matter what happens with the green job sector, says Burke.
For example, the electrical program begins with standard electrician training then integrates solar photovoltaic design and installation. The same is true for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning programs that incorporate energyefficiency skills.
CNM also offers classes in alternative fuels, solar thermal installation and sustainable landscaping, among others.
At Santa Fe Community College's Sustainable Technologies Center, students can earn an associate degree in applied science and environmental technologies with concentrations in solar energy or water conservation, says center director Randy Grissom.
Certificates are also offered in solar energy, biofuels and green building. Training days
Here is a sample of green job training in New Mexico:
San Juan Community College in Farmington offers an associate degree or one-year certificate in photovoltaic and solar thermal systems. Call 505-327-5705 or see www. sanjuancollege.edu/energy.
The North American Wind Research and Training Center at Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari offers associate degrees in wind energy technology. Call 575-461-4413, ext. 156, or see www.mesalands.edu/wind .
Central New Mexico Community College has green training opportunities in the School of Applied Technologies and noncredit courses. Call 224-3713 or see www.cnm.edu/depts/at/ .
Santa Fe Community College offers associate degrees with concentrations in solar energy or water conservation and certificates in solar energy, biofuels and green building. Call 505-428-1641 or see www.sfcc.edu/sustainable_ technologies_center.
The state Department of Workforce Solutions has a list of apprenticeships at www.dws.state.nm.us / careersolutions/CSS-Apprint. html. Call 841-4406.