Green Jobs in New Jersey ’ s Energy Economy

1. Green Jobs in New Jersey’s Energy Economy Jennifer M. Cleary The John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Edward J. Bloustein School for Planning and Public Policy

2. What are “Green Jobs”? • No standard definition • Most are traditional jobs with a “green layer” • Cross many industries/occupational titles • Media and policy makers focusing on green jobs in the energy sector

3. Green Jobs in New Jersey’s Energy Sector Two Broad Industry Areas Renewable/Clean Energy • Solar/photovoltaics • Off-shore wind • Biomass • Geothermal • Hydropower • Hydrogen • Nuclear • Co-generation Energy Efficiency/ Conservation • Building Retrofits/ “Green Construction • Energy efficient products • Corporate Energy Use Management Source: Northwest Community Energy Because these jobs cross many industry and job categories, data on the number of green jobs in NJ is not available.

4. Common Job Categories Construction, Installation, Repair, and Maintenance Skilled trades workers and laborers Building auditors and raters Facilities management Architecture, Engineering, and Project Management High-skill design, engineering, project mgt. Manufacturing Production of RE/EE products and parts Research and Development Basic research, testing and development of new RE/EE products and technologies. Business Administration Financial/Sales/Marketing Information Technology Carbon/SREC trading

5. What Affects the Growth of Green Jobs in the Energy Sector? State and Federal Energy Policy and Incentives • Federal stimulus • Clean Energy Program • NJ Energy Master Plan • Governor’s Green Jobs initiative • The Economy • Consumer & business spending power • The price of traditional energy • Technological advances • - New, cheaper technology

6. Education Priorities for a Green Energy Economy • Long-term skill needs include: • Sustainability • Systems knowledge • Green technologies, standards, and business processes • Life cycle analysis • Green financing and carbon/renewable trading concepts • Specific hiring and short-term training needs are still emerging – Stay tuned! • Ultimately, evolving job demand and job standards will drive training needs

7. Key Green Jobs Programs in New Jersey • State-led efforts • BPU Clean Energy Programs (incentives/contractors) • Industry Workforce Advisory Councils • Customized Training • REDDI/ Green Jobs Partnership/Youthbuild (LWD) • Innovation Partnership Institute Grants • (Curriculum development) • - Stevens (nuclear technology) • - Essex County College (facilities management, construction design/build) Industry & Union Education Initiatives • PSEG/JCPL energy programs/AS degree • IBEW solar training/other efforts to improve training • City-based Green Jobs/Green Training • Trenton (Isles, inc.) • Newark (Lincoln Park) & 2 other cities

8. A Coordinated, Flexible Workforce Development Infrastructure is Essential to Success Coordination needed among: • Educational Institutions • Community-based Organizations • Workforce/Economic Development • Labor Unions Key benefits: • Respond to employer demand as it evolves • Ensure access for diverse workforce • Be competitive for state/federal grants • Key Elements • Asset map • Formal partnerships • Feedback mechanisms • Articulation agreements • “stackable credentials” • Accreditation and certification pathways

9. Key Points Educators Need to Know • Track policy changes • Assess emerging impact on employer skill needs • Participate in coordination efforts to improve alignment of programming with labor market demand. • Green training cannot occur in isolation from traditional industries and skill sets - Career pathways/ladders can be linked to current industry efforts (i.e., energy sector, construction) • Accreditation, certification is important

10. Contact Information The John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, Rutgers University www.heldrich.rutgers.edu Jennifer Cleary, jcleary@rutgers.edu