Green Jobs

Oregon has a wealth of opportunities for organizations that recognize the multiple benefits of sustainability. We have progressive state and local policies, networks of organizations dedicated to addressing sustainability-related challenges and strong consumer and public awareness of issues related to quality of life and natural resources. One way we can help our emerging green economy can grow is by ensuring that industries and firms in the state and region have access to a skilled workforce with relevant expertise.

A logical and efficient option for us to continue to develop this workforce is by strengthening the capacity of Oregon's educational institutions. Making sure there is an adequate supply of skilled workers for green jobs is one side of the equation. Supporting industries that create green jobs and increase the demand for these workers is the other. 

OEC is helping develop a more sustainable economy in Oregon by promoting innovative policies and fostering collaborations. These can lead to profitable, equitable businesses that improve environmental quality while creating and retaining green jobs.

Green Jobs Defined

There are varying definitions of what constitutes a green job. Some are broad, while others are quite narrow. The Oregon Employment Department defines a green job as one that provides a service or produces a product in any of these categories:

1. Increasing energy efficiency
2. Producing renewable energy
3. Preventing, reducing, or mitigating environmental degradation
4. Cleaning up and restoring the natural environment
5. Providing education, consulting, policy promotion, accreditation, trading and offsets, or similar services supporting categories 1-4

The U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics defines green jobs as either:

1. Jobs in businesses that produce goods or provide services that benefit the environment or conserve natural resources.
2. Jobs in which workers’ duties involve making their establishment’s production processes more environmentally friendly or use fewer natural resources.
   

Other organizations include the quality of jobs as well as job types when defining green jobs. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, a green job includes positions in a variety of sectors that “contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality”. In addition, green jobs should also provide adequate wages, safe working conditions, and worker rights.

 Emerging Oregon Industries in the Green Economy

OEC is working in partnership with a variety of organizations to help build on our existing resources and overcome challenges to support the development of green jobs and industries. 

The following are some of the ways we’re involved in efforts that can build the green economy in Oregon:

• Green Building and Energy Efficiency – OEC is part of the Living Building Initiative, a consortium of businesses and non-profits that are committed to sustainability issues and protection of natural resources, land use and public health in Oregon.  The Oregon Sustainability Center is a project that will pursue sustainability in the built environment.

• Agriculture – Ensuring that Oregon’s farmers and food businesses flourish economically by rewarding environmental stewardship and social equity is a fundamental component of OEC’s Healthy Food and Farms Program.  Helping build market connections for sustainable producers helps increase their economic viability.   

• Biofuels and Renewable Energy – In 2007, OEC helped establish a renewable fuel standard and completed a report on environmentally and socially sound practices for the production of biofuels in Oregon. Recently, we worked with a diverse group of stakeholders to pass legislation creating a low-carbon fuel standard in Oregon. While some types of biofuels appear promising for some applications, it is important to consider a broad range of environmental and social trade-offs when evaluating their production and use.

Green Jobs in the Oregon

A survey conducted by the Oregon Employment Department estimated that there were 51,402 green jobs in Oregon in 2008. They accounted for around 3% of the state’s private, state and local government employment that year. The jobs were diverse and spread across 226 different occupations.

Most of the green jobs were concentrated in five occupations, including carpenters, farmworkers, truck drivers, hazardous substance removal workers, and landscaping and groundskeeping workers. Two thirds of the green jobs in Oregon pay $15.00 and hour or more.

A report by the Political Economy Research Institute includes information about occupations in Oregon that would benefit from investment in the green economy. The Apollo Alliance and Green For All released a publication that explores local green jobs in clean energy industries. OEC is a member of the Oregon Chapter of the Apollo Alliance, which includes labor, consumer, low-income and environmental organizations working together to advance green jobs development.

Workforce Education and Training

Our skilled workforce is a major reason that businesses choose to locate in Oregon and the Pacific Northwest.  While some new jobs will be created in the green economy, the majority of the jobs will be in existing areas of employment. For example, retrofitting buildings to improve energy efficiency requires electricians, insulation installers, carpenters, and building inspectors, among others. 

However, some sectors like manufacturing face shortages of skilled workers. Fortunately, Oregon has a number of educational and training institutions that are specializing in skills required for green jobs:

• The Oregon Green Technology Certificate will prepare entry level employees with the foundation skills needed in a variety of industries that are associated with or support green jobs.
  
• Oregon Institute of Technology has programs in renewable energy engineering in Portland and Klamath Falls.
• Columbia Gorge Community College in The Dalles runs the only certified wind technician program in the West.
• The Northwest Energy Education Institute offers two year degrees in Energy Management, Renewable Energy and Water Conservation as well as a host of certification courses.
• Oregon Tradeswomen, Inc. promotes women in trades. Many of these trade skills will help build our green economy.
• Portland Community College is partnering with the largest photovoltaic manufacturer in the U.S. to help train maintenance technicians locally.
• Portland Youth Builders offers education and vocational training for low-income youth in construction and carpentry.
• Verde Native Plant Nursery in Portland employs and trains low-income people for future employment in projects that protect and restore aquatic resources and ecosystems.

References for the information contained on this page are available upon request. For more information, contact Colin Price at colinp at oeconline.org.