Title: Green Jobs and the Role of the University
1Green Jobs and the Role of the University
- Margaret Brennan-Tonetta
- New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station
- Director, Economic Development
- December 10, 2008
- New Jersey Technology Council
2Green Jobs Potential National
- The U.S. Conference of Mayors released a report
in early October that finds the U.S. economy
currently generates more then 750,000 green jobs,
while over the next 30 years, an emphasis on
clean energy could cause that number to grow
five-fold, to more than 4.2 million jobs. - Engineering, legal, research, and consulting jobs
currently dominate the green jobs in the United
States and could grow by 1.4 million by 2038,
while renewable electricity production will
create 1.23 million jobs, alternative
transportation fuels will add 1.5 million jobs,
and building retrofits will create another 81,000
jobs.
3Green Jobs Potential New Jersey
- The 33 billion of investment into the NJ energy
infrastructure stemming from the 2008 EMP is
estimated to result in the creation of over
20,000 jobs between now and 2020. At peak
creation, approximately 8,300 will come from
installation and construction jobs another 7,400
in operations and maintenance jobs and over 4,000
in ancillary jobs. - These jobs include Solar manufacturing Energy
audit contractors HVAC installers Smart grid
technology installations, and many more.
4Shade of Green Will Determine Ultimate
Number of Jobs Created
- Technological and policy choices offer varying
degrees of environmental benefits and different
types of green employment. -
- Pollution prevention has different implications
than pollution control, as does climate
mitigation compared with adaptation, new
efficient buildings vs retrofits, or public
transit versus fuel-efficient automobiles. - These choices suggest that there are shades of
green in employment some are more far-reaching
and transformational than others. - Greater efficiency in the use of energy, water,
and materials is a core objective. The critical
question is where to draw the line between
efficient and inefficient practices. - A low threshold will define a greater number of
jobs as green, but may yield an illusion of
progress in this emerging labor market. - Given technological progress and the urgent need
for improvement, the dividing line between
efficient and inefficient must rise over time.
5Green Jobs- Whats Your Definition?
- UNEP defines green jobs as positions in
agriculture, manufacturing, construction,
installation, and maintenance, as well as
scientific and technical, administrative, and
service-related activities, that contribute
substantially to preserving or restoring
environmental quality. - According to the UNEP definition, green jobs also
need to be good jobs that meet longstanding
demands and goals of the labor movement, i.e.,
adequate wages, safe working conditions, and
worker rights, including the right to organize
labor unions. - Many believe that a green economy is an economy
that values nature and people, and creates
decent, well-paying jobs.
6Sustainability Standards for Bioenergy
- New Jersey Definition Generally, green collar
jobs involve environmentally friendly products
and services or businesses and organizations that
concern themselves with improving the
environment. (2008 NJ EMP)
7Green Jobs Act of 2007
- The Green Jobs Act Title X of the Energy
Independence and Security Act, authorized at 125
million per year in grants for an Energy
Efficiency and Renewable Energy Worker Training
Program as an amendment to the Workforce
Investment Act. - It establishes an energy efficiency and
renewable energy worker training program that
targets certain persons (including individuals in
need of updated training related to the energy
efficiency and renewable energy industries,
veterans, unemployed workers, and at-risk youth)
and sectors of the energy efficiency and
renewable energy industries - Green Jobs Act of 2008
- Directs the Secretary of Labor to award grants to
institutions of higher education for
sustainability workforce training and education
in industries and practices, such as (1)
alternative energy (2) green construction,
retrofitting, and design (3) green chemistry,
nanotechnology, or technology (4) water and
energy conservation (5) recycling and waste
reduction and (6) sustainable agricultural and
culinary practices. 100mm per year!
8Role of University as a Catalyst for Economic
Growth of Green Industry
- Academic institutions can and do play a
significant role - University as Trainer supply of skilled
graduates - University as Innovator generation and transfer
of knowledge - University as Partner provides technical
expertise to commercialize product licensing
activities sponsored research - University as a Regional Talent Magnet attracts
talented, innovative entrepreneurs and
professionals - University as Facilitator facilitate networking
between public/private sector research parks,
incubator programs - To be effective, universities must actively
choose to engage in economic development
activities, particularly as they relate to the
green industry.
9Need for a Well-Trained Workforce
- Transition to a green economy will create demand
for skilled workers and filling these positions
will require adequate training programs. - Many of these positions will be at the cutting
edge of technology development, and
specialization has progressed to the point where
universities need to consider offering entirely
new study fields and majors. -
- Several countries have reported that a skills
gap already exists between available workers and
the needs of green industries - A 2007 survey of Germanys renewables industry
concludes that companies in this field are
suffering from a shortage of qualified employees,
and especially those needed in knowledge-intensive
positions. - The Confederation of British Industry has
expressed concern that sectors going green are
struggling to find technical specialists,
designers, engineers, and electricians. - In the US, the National Renewable Energy
Laboratory identified a shortage of skills and
training as a leading barrier to renewable energy
and energy-efficiency growth. - Along with the skills gap will be a management
challenge, requiring development of new
perspectives, awareness, and managerial
capacities.
10Role of University Trainer
- Clearly if America is to rise to the global
energy challenge, and capture the economic
opportunity it represents, we need to adequately
prepare our students. - New Jersey boasts world-class educational
institutions where students can learn valuable
skills that prepare them to enter all levels of
the workforce. - Vocational schools, community colleges, 4-year
universities and graduate schools all offer
excellent programs to individuals looking to
learn about and advance in the green economy. - Surveys have shown that employers of the new
green workforce are going to be looking for
educational preparation in math, science, and
technology, in addition to good problem solving
skills and hands-on training.
11Role of University Innovator
- Partnerships between the public and private
sectors and universities are critical to success
of economic growth strategies. - SBA Office of Advocacy Study
- University RD expenditures directly related to
level of new innovations. - University RD expenditures are significantly
related to new firm formation in their region. - University RD spending is associated with higher
levels of human capital. - Research university investments in RD are major
factors contributing to economic growth in the
regions in which they are located.
12Role of University Technology Transfer
- Universities are a major source of
entrepreneurial and technology-based economic
growth. - This research provides the pipeline for
technology transfer and entrepreneurial
activities including patenting, licensing, and
launching of start-up enterprises. - Since 1980, universities have established
more than 5,000 new companies, the majority of
which are still operating
13Role of University Facilitator of
Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation
- The new green economy is going to offer a
significant opportunity for innovative thinkers
and entrepreneurs. - From 1980-2001, the entire growth in net U.S.
jobs was attributable to young firms (less than
five years old). - High-growth entrepreneurial firms usually pursue
the commercialization of an innovative new
process, product or service. - An SBA study observed that, Innovation without
entrepreneurship generally yields minimal local
economic impactInnovations are highly portable,
whereas entrepreneurship is people/place-based.
Its typically the entrepreneur that converts
innovation into economic development. - Source Council on Competitiveness 2007
14Role of University Facilitator of
Entrepreneurship and Business Incubation
- Need to leverage knowledge assets to foster
entrepreneurial mindsets - Engage universities so that they act as a
catalyst for business cluster and regional
economic development, and serve as economic
magnets to attract investment, entrepreneurs and
talent to a region. - Identify and implement best practices for
efficient and business-oriented technology
transfer at all state universities. - Create incentive for universities to restructure
their research capabilities to be responsive to
local industries, setting up specialized research
units, joint cooperative ventures and
interdisciplinary projects. - Create new sector-specific programs at the high
school, college, and continuing education level
that encourage people to enter and be successful
in the green job market. - Source Council on Competitiveness 2007
15Rutgers Energy Institute
- The Rutgers Energy Institute (REI)
integrates Rutgers expertise in science,
engineering, economics, and policy, putting it at
the forefront of alternative energy research.
Innovative research and technological advances
form the basis of the green jobs sector. - Research - Integrate basic research and
real-world application to advance energy
technologies that address biofuels, solar and
wind energy, efficient energy use, and energy
policy - Education - Train the next generation of leaders
in energy research through multidisciplinary
graduate and undergraduate programs that blend
science, technology, economics, and policy - Outreach - Facilitating colloquia, workshops and
seminars that stimulate interdisciplinary
conversations on energy research and
technologies, exploring energy topics most
relevant to the Rutgers community, local
businesses, homeowners, and politicians - REI.Rutgers.edu
16Rutgers Energy Research Programs
- BiofuelsReducing the need for fossil fuels
exploring ways to use biological materials to
produce energy for heat, electric power, and
transportation Optimizing energy yields from
commercial crops, like corn and soy, through
innovative genetic techniques Developing
cost-e?ective technologies with minimal impact to
the environment - Solar EnergyAlternative electricity improving
technologies that convert solar energy to
electricity Advancing the fundamental optical
and electronic science required to produce solar
cells Cultivating cost-e?cient technologies that
convert solar energy to hydrogenan important
renewable fuel. - Wind PowerClean, Renewable Energy focusing
research on wind energy technology as an
alternative to burning coal or oil Improving our
wind prediction capabilities along the New Jersey
coastline through collaborations with the state
of New Jersey and PSEG Implementing a
ground-breaking program that utilizes real-time
data to collect and distribute wind energy at
strategically located sites. - Green Building/Ef?cient Energy Use - Advancing
the energy efficiency of buildings, industrial
processes, and transportation in New Jersey
Merging fundamental research in materials science
and technology with practical building
applications Putting theory into practice with
building improvements for homeowners - such as
energy-saving techniques and equipment, healthier
indoor air-quality systems, building material
reuse, and solid waste reduction.
17Research Centers
- Center for Advanced Energy Systems
- Center for Advanced Infrastructure and
Transportation - Center for Energy, Economics, and Environmental
Policy - Center for Green Building
- Climate Environmental Change Initiative
- EcoComplex
- Institute for Advanced Material Devices
- Institute of Marine and Coastal Sciences
- Laboratory for Surface Modification
- New Jersey Sustainable State Institute
- Rutgers Initiative on Climate and Social Policy
- Waksman Institute of Microbiology
18Rutgers Curriculum for Building the Green Industry
- Rutgers University offers courses that explore
the science, engineering, and policy of energy.
Science courses are offered within the School of
Environmental and Biological Sciences,
engineering courses are offered within the School
of Engineering, and policy courses are offered
within the Bloustein School of Planning and
Public Policy. - Over 100 energy-related and green undergraduate
and graduate courses are offered at Rutgers. - Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional
Education provides a multitude of industry
specific training opportunities and
certifications.
19Conclusion
- Universities play a significant role in
development of the green economy and green jobs
by - Providing a well-educated, highly skilled work
force - Engaging in cutting edge, innovative research
- Fostering technology/innovation transfer to
industry - Developing effective public private partnerships
- Launching start-up enterprises through incubators
and entrepreneurial support programs