Green Collar Technologies » collar http://greencollartech.com Education for Green Collar Workers in Hawai‘i Fri, 27 Aug 2010 23:34:11 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Green Collar Job Training Program Ideas Wanted! http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-job-training-program-ideas-wanted.htm http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-job-training-program-ideas-wanted.htm#comments Sat, 08 Aug 2009 04:04:18 +0000 Server http://greencollartech.com/?p=1833 Green Collar Jobs Training Programs

Got an idea for a green collar job training program?

Together we can bring Green Jobs to Hawaii Island but we need your help!

We need to create model programs to train a greener workforce. Your idea could lead to funding, training and employment.

Click here for more details

]]> http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-job-training-program-ideas-wanted.htm/feed 0 Green Collar Jobs Funding – Employer Workshop http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-jobs-funding-employer-workshop.htm http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-jobs-funding-employer-workshop.htm#comments Tue, 04 Aug 2009 19:40:25 +0000 Server http://greencollartech.com/?p=1814 Hawaii Island Green Collar Jobs Funding

Click here to download PDF flyer
Green Collar Jobs Funding – Employer Workshop

An employer workshop to be held
Thursday, August 13th 9:00 am to 11:00 am registration: 8:30 am

Workforce Development Division Presentation Room

1990 Kino`ole Street, Suite 102
(Next to Kawate Seed Shop)

  • Green Collar Jobs and Greener Economies
    Brent Norris, Green Collar Technologies
  • Green Job Employer
    Michael Kaleikini, Puna Geothermal Venture

  • Overview of Specific Grant Opportunities Related to Hawai`i Island

    • John Carroll, Hawai`i Island Workforce & Economic Development Ohana

  • How to Establish Partnerships & Alliances to Acquire Funding

    • Alex Frost, Hawai`i County Research & Development Department

    • Susan Akiyama, Office of Housing & Community Development

    In partnership with:
    • Hawai`i Island Workforce & Economic Development Ohana
    • Hawai`i County Workforce Investment Board
    • Hawai`i Island Chamber of Commerce
    • Japanese Chamber of Commerce & Industry of Hawai`I
    • Kanoelehua Industrial Area Association
    • Big Island Workplace Connection

    Call Bunnie Au-Suehiro at 981.2860 ext. 236 for registration & payment information.

    Workforce Development Division
    1990 Kino`ole Street, Suite 102
    (Next to Kawate Seed Shop)

    ]]>     http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-jobs-funding-employer-workshop.htm/feed 1     American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Funding and Green Collar Job Resources on Hawaii Island http://greencollartech.com/american-recovery-reinvestment-act-funding-green-collar-job-resources-hawaii-island.htm http://greencollartech.com/american-recovery-reinvestment-act-funding-green-collar-job-resources-hawaii-island.htm#comments Fri, 12 Jun 2009 05:46:31 +0000 Server http://greencollartech.com/?p=1380 Looking for your participation, feedback and suggestions for improving these resources.

    U.S. Stimulus Funding Resources for Hawai`i Island

    American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Stimulus money) Resources for Hawai`i Island
    An effort to provide organized resources for Hawai’i Island businesses, non-profit organizations and government agencies seeking grants and funding initiatives from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

    Green-Collar Job Resources for Hawai`i Island

    Green-Collar Job Resources for Hawai`i Island
    An efffort to provide resources for employers, job seekers, green collar workers and various organizations interested in learning more about Green Collar Jobs on Hawai’i Island.

    ]]>     http://greencollartech.com/american-recovery-reinvestment-act-funding-green-collar-job-resources-hawaii-island.htm/feed 0     Hawaii County Green Jobs Capacity Report http://greencollartech.com/hawaii-county-green-jobs-capacity-report.htm http://greencollartech.com/hawaii-county-green-jobs-capacity-report.htm#comments Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:30:08 +0000 Server http://greencollartech.com/?p=864  The Hawaii County Council unanimously passed a Resolution No. 731-08 to encourage research and application process to obtain funding for Green Jobs in 2008. 

    Sustainable practices for improving our local economy, community and environment are one of the top priorities in the Community Development Plans for North Kohala, South Kohala, North and South Kona, and Puna Districts.

    In support of this resolution, Green Collar Technologies has agreed to research and produce a report for the Sustainable Living Institute as part of a project for Hawai`i County Research and Development. In addition to organizing and implementing eight sustainable living workshops Green Collar Technologies will produce a Green Job Environmental Scan as part of an early CDP implementation action in West and East Hawai’i.

    By facilitating discussions with local businesses and identifying emerging green sectors we hope to learn answer to the following questions:

    • What is the current and future capacity for green jobs in sustainable industries on Hawai`i Island?
    • Where can the County have the most positive impact in the area of green jobs?

    Green Collar Technologies will coordinate, collaborate and learn from key business stakeholders to facilitate the discussion, compile the data, and deliver the first green jobs environmental scan and current status of sustainable industries on Hawai`i Island to prepare our island for emerging federal funding opportunities.

    Methodology
    Working within the contexts of current planning and research efforts, Green Collar Technologies will communicate, coordinate and cooperate with Hawai`i County Research and Development to identify, convene, and facilitate discussion with major stakeholders on the island. 

    The Green Job Environmental Scan, containing materials from all presenters at eight workshops and information from facilitated discussion with local green business community will be used as basis for producing a Hawaii Island Green Job Environmental Scan and made available for free download as a pdf file from the Internet.

    The report will result in names and numbers which uncover specific capacities in areas of green employment in easy to understand text, charts, graphs and data visualizations which best communicate the findings to help set the stage for R&D strategic planning and potential federal funding.

    Work on this project is subject to change without notice and will be performed in accordance with the Hawaii County Code of Ethics and in the public interest.

    Look for results of the report in PDF format to emerge Q2 2009.

    Your comments are appreciated (below).

    ]]>     http://greencollartech.com/hawaii-county-green-jobs-capacity-report.htm/feed 0     Review – Green Jobs in U.S. Metro Areas Report http://greencollartech.com/green-jobs-us-cities-metro-mayors-report.htm http://greencollartech.com/green-jobs-us-cities-metro-mayors-report.htm#comments Tue, 21 Oct 2008 04:57:23 +0000 Server http://greencollartech.com/?p=323 Mahalo to Daniel Morii from the Sustainable Living Institute for forwarding a new green jobs report created by Global Insight for the The United States Conference of Mayors and the Mayors Climate Protection Center. Two import pieces of research stand out.

    First, Global Insight redefines green jobs: 

    “any activity that generates electricity using renewable or nuclear fuels, agriculture jobs supplying corn or soy for transportation fuel, manufacturing jobs producing goods used in renewable power generation, equipment dealers and wholesalers specializing in renewable energy or energy-efficiency products, construction and installation of energy and pollution management systems, government administration of environmental programs, and supporting jobs in the engineering, legal, research and consulting fields.”

    We’ve added this to our Green Collar Jobs Definition, draft study. Second, we’ve got some new green jobs numbers: We’ll take this a step further when we conduct our own research. Key correlations between the job numbers, employers, workers and agencies will be taken into account. Much of the researchin the report is “scenario-based.”

    A couple more quotes I find interesting in the report:

    “In this report, the U.S. Conference of Mayors and Global Insight have examined the economic benefits of the ‘Green Economy’ – that part of economic activity which is devoted to the reduction of fossil fuels, the increase of energy efficiency, and the curtailment of greenhouse gas emissions.”

    The report also states in part,

    “Green Jobs in 2006 were distributed across the country. Approximately 85% were located in metropolitan areas while the remaining 15% were in non-metropolitan counties.”

    The footnote states,

    “Green Jobs 2006 totals for Metropolitan areas include all categories except Renewable Power Generation.”

    A couple paragraphs up the report states,

    “We estimate that as of 2006 there were just more than 750,000 Green Jobs in the U.S. economy. More than half of existing jobs were in Engineering, Legal, Research and Consulting, revealing the importance of these indirect jobs to the Green Economy. The second largest category was Renewable Power Generation, with more than 127,000 jobs.”    

    Download the full report by Global Insight in PDF format from the U.S. Global Mayors Website.  

    ]]>     http://greencollartech.com/green-jobs-us-cities-metro-mayors-report.htm/feed 0     The Short Version of Obama vs. McCain: The Wired Scorecard http://greencollartech.com/the-short-version-of-obama-vs-mccain-the-wired-scorecard.htm http://greencollartech.com/the-short-version-of-obama-vs-mccain-the-wired-scorecard.htm#comments Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:09:28 +0000 Server http://greencollartech.com/?p=311 Although we don’t do politics here we do provide educational resources for green collar workers. This post falls into the Educational Resources for Green Collar Technology Workers category. Aside from the obvious voter information context, the full article at Wired magazine has a synopis for tech workers relating the issues listed below.

    Knowing these issues can help us all identity opportunities and threats to strengthening Hawai`i’s digital economies. These issues are important to anyone wishing to support a strong digital economy in Hawai`i.

    I’ve shortened the Wired article into the following scorecard (link to full post at bottom): 

  • Broadband - The Issue: The United States is becoming a tortoise in a world of hares. One of the world’s most Wired nations a decade ago, we now lag behind most of our peers.

    • Broadband Grade:  
    McCain: D
    Obama: B 

  • H1B issues - The Issue: Many people skilled in technology around the world want to work in the United States, but it’s tough to get in if you don’t have a family member already living here.

    • H1B Visas Grade:
    McCain: B+
    Obama: C

  • Investment in green tech - The Issue: Technology is the best, and only way, to get us out of our environmental mess. Government’s best bet at solving this problem isn’t to pick and fund specific winners.

    • Green Tech Grade:
    McCain: B
    Obama: A

  • Net neutrality - The Issue: The question here is whether the telecom companies can pick and choose what they send over their pipes.

    • Net Nuetrality Grade:
    McCain: D
    Obama: A

  • Spectrum - The Issue: Spectrum is the technological equivalent of the roads over which our technology travels. Right now, clunky companies that use oxcarts own many of the widest highways. 

    • Spectrum Grade:
    McCain: B
    Obama: B

    Read the full post at Wired.com:

    Obama vs. McCain: The Wired Scorecard

    Brent.fm post on TV Whitespaces includes video from Google.

     

    Local comments below, national comments at Wired please.

     

    ]]>     http://greencollartech.com/the-short-version-of-obama-vs-mccain-the-wired-scorecard.htm/feed 1     Vision for a Hawaii Island Green Collar Jobs Commission http://greencollartech.com/green-jobs-consortium-hawaii.htm http://greencollartech.com/green-jobs-consortium-hawaii.htm#comments Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:44:30 +0000 Server http://greencollartech.com/?p=310 Together we can obtain and execute the funding and plans necessary to provide Hawaii Island with pathways to green collar jobs.

    By convening existing stakeholders in sustainable industries we hope to bring additional focus to the needs and requirements for Green Collar Jobs on Hawaii Island. By welcoming emerging and future leadership in sustainable practices we can insure a group that thrives and continues to support Green Collar Workers for the next decade.

    This multi-stakeholder group comprised of business, government, workforce boards, education and nonprofit leaders can help provide experience, guidance, advocacy and specific recommendations and analysis compatible with a Framework for Strategic Sustainable Development (see HCRC website for related FSSD information). 

    The Green Collar Jobs Commission can help ensure market-based deployments of green jobs are matched with outcome-based needs in policy, education and federal funding guidelines in accordance with the Green Jobs Act of 2007.

    Through a Green Collar Jobs Commission (GCJC), qualitative analysis can be considered in a multi-stakeholder environment in 2009. Quantitative analysis from the DOL and BOL can be folded in as it becomes available.

    Green collar technologies and manufacturing continue to grow. The GCJC can provide the insight necessary for policy makers to meet the demands of private business while recommending paths for education to ensure longterm adoption and implementation of a greener economy.  

    A Green Collar Jobs Commission can measure impact and capacity to help families, schools, businesses and other social organizations embrace Green Collar Jobs. You can help.

    We are seeking:
    • Government support at State and County levels
    • Employers with current and future capacity to provide green jobs
    • Educators and schools capable of training a greener workforce
    • Training and education provider support 
    • Community leaders

    Participation in the Green Collar Jobs Commission helps (no particular order):

    • Secure additional funding for programs in accordance with the Green Jobs Act
    • Strategically define Green Collar Workers and 
    • Develop capacity for Green Collar Jobs on Hawai`i Island
    • Support employers, educators and policy makers
    • Research and obtain funding for appropriate green jobs programs
    • Share, research and test ideas for new green jobs programs
    • Help reproduce successful programs
    • Avoid duplication of effort when less than useful
    • Further develop and aid leadership in sustainability
      • Standard set of communication protocols
      • In person and online meetings (keep it green)
    • Articulate business case for sustainability action plans
    Seeking your comments below. 
    ]]>     http://greencollartech.com/green-jobs-consortium-hawaii.htm/feed 2     Green Collar Worker Definition – draft study http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-worker-definition.htm http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-worker-definition.htm#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2008 04:27:18 +0000 brent http://greencollartech.com/?p=294

    Last Update 08/24/09

    A Green Collar Worker? Below is a compilation of definitions with questions to help trigger questions and increase discussion.

    The current “Green Collar Worker” definition at Wikipedia reads,

    “A green-collar worker is a worker who is employed in the environmental sectors of the economy, or in the agricultural sector.”

    Should green collar only cover environmental or agricultural sectors? Is an industry-based approach appropriate? Can a green collar worker be involved with the science of developing technologies that help produce more efficient energy or power systems? Is a mechanic working on a windmill also a green collar worker? Even workers in the same industry achieve their goals or perform their jobs differently. Could we develop something more inclusive which provides an indication of intent? Let’s look at a “Green Collar Job” definition. The short radio program, “the Environminute” stated,

    “Green collar jobs are blue collar jobs that help protect the planet.”

    A broader definition that seems to be role-based. A role-based approach is good but what if you are merely “conserving or preserving” that planet? What if you are just doing a job that produces little or no waste? Does this definition add confusion by defining something with an ambiguous term like “blue collar.” Will additional research reveal similar problems back in the days of the industrial revolution when folks were trying to define blue-collar worker? Separately, Wikipedia, defines a Blue Collar worker as,

    “a member of the working class who performs manual labor and earns an hourly wage.”

    Is this also too exclusive? Must Green Collar Workers perform jobs which pay hourly? Do Green Collar Workers need to do manual labor to be considered green? RAQUEL PINDERHUGHES, Ph. D. definition in her Green Collar Jobs case study for the city of Berkeley, California states in part,

    “Green collar jobs are blue collar jobs in green businesses – that is, manual labor jobs in businesses whose products and services directly improve environmental quality (Pinderhughes, 2006).”

    Does this occupational-based approach to defining “Green Collar Jobs”, exclude folks that work behind a desk on a computer?  What about folks building websites which in turn, support green efforts? Could we include folks that invest in “Environmentally-Friendly Portfolios,” as Green Collar Workers? What about salaried, County workers that are researching and implementing sustainability plans? Could politicians that sign and act in accordance with green sustainability pledge during their term in office be considered Green Collar Workers?

    The UNEP, ILO, ITUC GREEN JOBS INITIATIVE Report and GreenforAll orgnizations shoot a bit higher in their definition of Green Collar Jobs,

    “Green-collar jobs, as we define them, are wellpaid, career track jobs that contribute directly to preserving or enhancing environmental quality. Like traditional blue-collar jobs, green-collar jobs range from low-skill, entry-level positions to high-skill, higher-paid jobs, and include opportunities for advancement in both skills and wages.”

    Is the “opportunity for advancement” inclusion important? is this more of an outcome-based approach? Does “career track” exclude stay-at-home Moms?

    In a more recent report commissioned and funded by UNEP, also as part of the joint UNEP, ILO, IOE, ITUC Green Jobs Initiative you can find this Green Collar Jobs definition,

    “We define green jobs as work in agricultural, manufacturing, research and development (R&D), administrative, and service activities that contribute substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality. Specifically, but not exclusively, this includes jobs that help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy, materials, and water consumption through high efficiency strategies; de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid generation of all forms of waste and pollution.”

    In the Green Industries and Jobs In California Special Report a Green Job is defined as,

    “an occupation that 1) directly works with policies, information, materials, and/or technologies that contribute to minimizing environmental impact, and 2) requires specialized knowledge, skills, training, or experience in these areas.”

    Should the following questions also be considered when attempting to define the term, “Green Collar Worker” or “Green Collar Jobs” in Hawaii?

    1. Should the definition of a Green Collar Worker be different depending on location?  For example, where you live has great impact on the way you work and what you do for work. A Green Colla Worker specializing in water systems might be involved in diverse occupations such as harvesting, treatment, delivery, research and education. We may find differences in impact, skills and success metrics among green workers in sandy deserts vs. the rain forests of Mountain View.
    2. 2. Is the context in which you live or work in important to how you personally define a Green Collar Worker? A so-called, “Green Collar” means one thing to a researcher studing photo-voltaics and something potentially different to a farmer using sustainable growing techniques. An educator teaching green design may define a Green Collar Workers differently than a hydropower technician at the local power company. Similar differences in definition might exist between a LEEDS certified building contractor and a web professional using a green data center and energy efficient-coding standards to build online websites.
    3. Is an outcomes-based approach the best dtermining factor? The workers intent may have a direct affect on the environment surrounding the worker on and off duty. Should the worker’s past performance be considered? Do commercial hazardous materials handlers have a special responsibility in the context of the environment? Are some workers inclined to be “greener” tan others?

    Is the term, “Green Collar Worker” a living or still evolving term? Is the definition actually changing as our understanding of a greener, more sustainable planet evolves? A somewhat innate understanding seems to exist. A solid understanding may eventually lead to NAICS job codes but for now local definitions need to exist to facilitate communication.
    Please also consider the diferences between “Green Collar Jobs” and “Green Collar Workers” as intention and results seem to cloudy the definitions.
    Please visit http://greenhawaiijobs.com to participate.
    Many thanks to the following folks for their contributions:

    • Daniel Morii of the Sustainable Living Institute
    • Alex Frost from Hawaii County Research and Development HCRC
    • Angela Kang from Hawaii County Department of Environmental Mangement
    • Kareen Forissier Legislative Assistant to Councilman Pete Hoffmann
    At Green Collar Technologies we’re working to learn how location and context might affect our ability to facilitate a greener economy. One such effort is our research into the Green Jobs Act and how Hawai`i might utlize funds appropriated by the Act will be provided as the discussion continues. We’re hoping for your participate in the discussion. We’ve setup a green jobs forum to help us understand your ideas, thoughts and suggestions to help us move beyond definition and into providing pathways to green jobs.

    ]]>     http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-worker-definition.htm/feed 3     Map and Directions http://greencollartech.com/map-and-directions-hilo-hawaii.htm http://greencollartech.com/map-and-directions-hilo-hawaii.htm#comments Thu, 28 Aug 2008 19:09:17 +0000 Server http://greencollartech.com/?p=259 Green Collar Technologies in Hilo, Hi 96720
    Get directions from Google Maps

    ]]>     http://greencollartech.com/map-and-directions-hilo-hawaii.htm/feed 7     Green Collar Job Perspectives – updated http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-jobs-perspectives.htm http://greencollartech.com/green-collar-jobs-perspectives.htm#comments Thu, 05 Jun 2008 19:19:31 +0000 brent http://greencollartech.com/?p=185 More perspectives on Green Collar Jobs (Find and post green collar jobs on our job board)

    Q&A with Van Jones about the Climate Security Act and green jobs
    Grist Magazine – Seattle,WA,USA
    Here’s the good thing about Lieberman-Warner: It would put $60 billion toward green-collar job training, and that’s very important, to make sure our … Learn More >>

    Report: Workers to gain from going green
    Santa Rosa Press Democrat – Santa Rosa,CA,USA
    … of the Sierra Club, said, “Everyone is talking about how the transition to a clean energy future will create millions of new ‘green-collar’ jobs. … Learn More >>

    Final Budget Passes US Senate: Includes Stabenow’s Green Collar
    WASHINGTON —US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), a member of the Senate Budget Committee, today announced passage of the final Fiscal Year 2009 Budget Resolution, which includes Senator Stabenow’s Green Collar Jobs Initiative. … Learn More >>


    The Green Collar Job Search
    By nswift
    Airplane Mechanic, you won’t get to fix planes anymore but now you get to “seal holes in public buildings” – one of the many enriching “green collar jobs” that will suddenly be available. Learn More >>

    Where’s The Green Labor Force? There!
    By Angelique van Engelen
    Earlier this week a report by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) revealed top strategies for dealing with global warming where the transition to a green collar economy is concerned. Learn More >>

    Veto for Global Warming Bill Could Save Money but Could Hurt Green
    By greencollaramerica
    Ford, one of the largest manufacturers in America, is using a fast moving Canadian funded research team to reuse fumes as fuel, while at the same time a bill that could build a Center for Green Manufacturing in Ohio is headed for a veto. Learn More >>

    Wanted: Veterans interested in ‘green collar’ jobs
    Port Townsend Leader – Port Townsend,WA,USA
    The new program is aimed at helping veterans land “green collar” jobs, jobs working to protect the Northwest’s environment. The state Legislature approved … Learn More >>

    More green jobs, more greenbacks
    Columbus Dispatch – Columbus,OH,USA
    “We think a green job is a blue-collar job done with a green purpose,” said George Calko, an Ohio organizer with the Blue-Green Alliance, a group set up by … Learn More >>

    Green Collar Workers: Sustainable Employment
    By monkchips
    I had not come across the term Green Collar workers until recently, when I head it from Tom. Having written a piece today in praise of bubbles I wanted to balance that out with some thinking on the kind of sustainable economic changes a … Learn More >>

    Ways Smaller Businesses Can Make More Money by Going Green
    By greencollaramerica
    Also, why not use Green Collar Economy to find green businesses that can help you, or ask another company who has made the changes what worked for them. Thanks to Mid Market for publishing these profitable and efficient ideas… Learn More >>

    The newest green-collar job
    By noapostrophe(noapostrophe)
    Farming is hard work, but it’s one of the most important sectors in the world. No farms = no food. Period. Food production is in great danger these days, as climate change affects traditionally understood farming conditions and the … Learn More >>

    Green Collar Jobs Everywhere in Canada
    This job board shows an endless supply of Green Jobs coming out of Canada. The largest growing employment sector, employers are scrambling to fill positions with students many times having 2-3 offers before they graduate. Learn More >>

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