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Target 14: Green Jobs
Double the Number of Low- and High-Skill Green Jobs
All of the goals and initiatives in this report will produce demand for workers who have the skills to make the city more sustainable. As our society shifts toward a more green economy, Philadelphia has the potential to be a hub of green jobs. The region already has nearly 14,400 green jobs according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors. By 2015, Greenworks Philadelphia projects a doubling of this number as workers are employed in areas such as weatherization, green infrastructure and other industries that have the potential for growth and career-track, family-supporting jobs. To achieve this target, the City will undertake different approaches such as creating an economic development strategy built on demand for affordable energy and linking workforce development programs to green job opportunities.
All of the goals and initiatives in this report will produce demand for workers who have the skills to make the city more sustainable. As our society shifts toward a more green economy, Philadelphia has the potential to be a hub of green jobs. The region already has nearly 14,400 green jobs according to the U.S. Conference of Mayors. By 2015, Greenworks Philadelphia projects a doubling of this number as workers are employed in areas such as weatherization, green infrastructure and other industries that have the potential for growth and career-track, family-supporting jobs. To achieve this target, the City will undertake different approaches such as creating an economic development strategy built on demand for affordable energy and linking workforce development programs to green job opportunities.
First class of weatherization trainees at Kensington Green Jobs Training Center
Conduct a Market Analysis
Through a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability will study how legislation, regulations and the use of existing and potential development incentives will create demand for green jobs and businesses. This work will enable the City’s Commerce Department to direct its efforts toward growing green jobs in the most effective way. The analysis will be competed in the fall 2009.
Through a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, the Mayor’s Office of Sustainability will study how legislation, regulations and the use of existing and potential development incentives will create demand for green jobs and businesses. This work will enable the City’s Commerce Department to direct its efforts toward growing green jobs in the most effective way. The analysis will be competed in the fall 2009.
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Fill the Need for Green Jobs
The City’s economic development agencies and departments are working with the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to the identify the skills needed by green employers and the training gaps that exist in current workforce development programs. The WIB will then work with Community College of Philadelphia, local technical schools, high schools and workforce training programs to ensure their curricula begin to reflect the emerging economic opportunities. Energy sector-specific efforts will include low-skill training in energy retrofits and high-skill training for energy auditors and solar panel manufacturing. Some of this new training is already beginning. Through a grant from the Knight Foundation, the Energy Coordinating Agency is creating a new 64,000 square foot green jobs training center in Kensington that will work with 200 men and women each year to give them the skills needed to retrofit buildings. For more information about the green jobs training center please read this press release from the Energy Coordinating Agency.
The City’s economic development agencies and departments are working with the Philadelphia Workforce Investment Board (WIB) to the identify the skills needed by green employers and the training gaps that exist in current workforce development programs. The WIB will then work with Community College of Philadelphia, local technical schools, high schools and workforce training programs to ensure their curricula begin to reflect the emerging economic opportunities. Energy sector-specific efforts will include low-skill training in energy retrofits and high-skill training for energy auditors and solar panel manufacturing. Some of this new training is already beginning. Through a grant from the Knight Foundation, the Energy Coordinating Agency is creating a new 64,000 square foot green jobs training center in Kensington that will work with 200 men and women each year to give them the skills needed to retrofit buildings. For more information about the green jobs training center please read this press release from the Energy Coordinating Agency.
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Diversifying our Workforce
Demand for jobs related to energy efficiency and weatherization creates an opportunity to provide new job training and career ladders to a diverse population of workers, both in union and non-union settings. The City is committed to using the recommendations from the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Construction Industry Diversity to begin the process of working closely with our building trades and other organizations so that everyone has an opportunity to participate in creating the city’s new green infrastructure.
Demand for jobs related to energy efficiency and weatherization creates an opportunity to provide new job training and career ladders to a diverse population of workers, both in union and non-union settings. The City is committed to using the recommendations from the Mayor’s Advisory Commission on Construction Industry Diversity to begin the process of working closely with our building trades and other organizations so that everyone has an opportunity to participate in creating the city’s new green infrastructure.
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