Green collar jobs in Pennsylvania are about to boom.
Thats the prediction of a report by the states Department of Labor and Industry, which estimated the state will add 115,000 jobs in energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean transportation, pollution prevention and environmental cleanup, and agricultural and resource conservation.
Thats a 300 percent increase over 2007, when the Pew Charitable Trusts estimated that the states 38,000 green jobs placed it third among the 50 states. Direct jobs represent about 65,000 of the total 115,000.
The new occupations are mostly mid-range technical jobs. Requiring post-secondary training and credentials, those green-collar jobs generally pay family-sustaining wages. Many jobs are already tapped for workforce investment funds to provide training. The report estimates the the most job creation potential will be in energy efficiency. With almost 206,000 jobs and more than 21,800 establishments, it represents 59 percent of the total. Pollution prevention and environmental cleanup comes in at 18 percent, with more than 63,000 workers and approximately 2,600 establishments.
Labor and Industry secretary Sandi Vito noted that an investment of $10 billion is expected to drive the jobs boom. Department spokesman Christopher Manlove says that the Department’s Center for Workforce Information & Analysis is tallying the industries and employment estimates on a county by county basis.
Source: Christopher Manlove, PA Department of Labor and Industry
Writer: Chris O’Toole