Green Economy Jobs Initiative

1
Green Economy Jobs Initiative
Washington State University

• Presentation to the Legislative Committee on
  Economic Development and International Relations
• July 10, 2008
• Greg Weeks, Ph.D.
• Director, Labor Market and Economic Analysis
• Washington State Employment Security Department
• Alan Hardcastle, Ph.D.
• Senior Research Associate
• Washington State University, Extension Energy
  Program

2
Green-Economy Jobs Initiative
Washington State University

• Section 9 of E2SHB 2815 directs named state
  agencies to stimulate development of a green
  economy and increase the number of green economy
  jobs to 25,000 by 2020.

3
Five Key Elements of Section 9
Washington State University

• Define green economy and green-collar jobs.
• Conduct research on green-industry sectors,
  employers and jobs.
• Ensure participation by minority- and women-owned
  businesses.
• Identify training needed to support growth of
  green economy.
• Identify policies, strategies and actions to
  stimulate growth of green economy.

4
The Green Economy
Washington State University

• Green economy rooted in environmental protection
  and energy security.
• Industries and businesses engaged in
• energy efficiency
• renewable energy
• preventing and reducing pollution
• mitigating or cleaning up pollution

5
The Green Economy
Washington State University
Green sectors and activities include

• Recycling
• Environmental cleanup
• Bio-fuels
• Non-petroleum-based energy products
• Design engineering

• Manufacturing
• Construction
• Research development
• Waste management
• Finance/venture capital

6
Defining Green Jobs
Washington State University
Green jobs promote environmental protection and
energy security.
7
Survey of Green-Sector Employers and Jobs
Washington State University

• Study is beginning.
• Goal is to identify green economic sectors,
  industries, businesses and jobs.
• Portion of known green-business industries will
  be surveyed.
• Screening all other sectors to identify other
  possible green jobs/industries.
• Combined list becomes sample frame for full
  survey.

8
Survey of Green-Sector Employers and Jobs
Washington State University

• A random sample of approximately 17,000 employers
  will be selected.
• This sample will be asked about the number of
  employees in green jobs and their occupations.
• Survey design will ensure statistically valid and
  reliable results.
• Focus on direct jobs.
• Timeline Survey launched in late July and
  preliminary findings available in mid December.

9
Full Participation
Washington State University

• University of Washington must
• Analyze the role of minority- and women-owned
  businesses in green economy.
• Identify barriers to participation.
• Develop strategies and recommendations to improve
  participation.
• Study due December 1, 2008.

10
Workforce Development
Washington State University

• Workforce Board to create and pilot
  green-industry skill panels, with broad
  representation.
• Skill panels will
• Conduct analysis to determine workforce needs.
• Plan strategies to meet recruitment and training
  needs.
• Leverage and align other public and private
  funding sources.

11
Workforce Development
Washington State University

• Green-Industries Job Training Account created in
  state treasury.
• State community-college board will offer
  competitive grants for training.
• Grants must be used to supplement the state
  opportunity grant program.
• Can be used for curriculum development,
  dislocated-worker job training, workforce
  education to targeted populations.

12
Strategic Planning
Washington State University

• Identify high-demand green industries.
• Identify emerging technologies and innovations.
• Develop criteria for targeted investments,
  incentives and strategies to grow green economy.
• Recommend financial incentives and strategies.
• Stimulate research and development of green
  technology.
• Promote innovation.