Turning Green E-newsletter October 2010

Welcome to Turning Green the specialist recruitment firm focused on placing talent into sustainability, climate change and environmental roles.  Our October 2010 e-newsletter is our paper-free way of keeping you in touch with what's happening with jobs in the sector in Australia.

Find out what roles we have available, meet Turning Green candidates, get updated on industry news and more.  With only four copies a year, we won't clutter your inbox.

In this edition we share with you our interview with Matthew Wright, Executive Director of Beyond Zero Emissions; our insight piece on integrating philanthropy into business and a deep dive into solar concentrating thermal technology amongst other highlights.

We are also very excited to announce that Turning Green has reached GreenBizCheck (www.greenbizcheck.com) gold certification.

GreenBizCheck's practical and effective program helped Turning Green quickly implement environmentally responsible business practices that have helped save resources, attract customers, motivate staff and help protect the environment.

"We are providing businesses with a practical and low cost means of taking action to help reduce their increasing impact on climate change", said GreenBizCheck Managing Director Nicholas Bernhardt. "Our assessment and action-oriented report is so thorough we offer a 100% money back guarantee that clients will easily save the cost of certification in the first year," he said.

"Turning Green enjoyed working with GreenBizCheck to efficiently reduce energy, water and waste costs in our business. Aside from the cost savings we were keen to set a high green standard in our market and independently show Turning Green is committed to sustainable business practices." Lisa Tarry said.

Due to a growth in demand for our Environmental Careers One-on-One Sessions we now offer a personalised Career Planning Service to individuals who are between roles,  or those seeking to transition their careers. These 45 minutes sessions include one-on-one advice and a CV review with a Professional Member of the Career Development Association of Australia Inc.  Call 02 8211 0641 or email info@turninggreen.com.au for more information on content and costings.

As always we seek to demonstrate that the term ‘green-to-gold’ is real, and by turning green, the bottom line can actually grow.  We continually outline the complex backdrop we are operating against, highlight some of the barriers to progress but above all, demonstrate how it is possible for businesses with the right resources to ensure Australia is competitive in the emerging clean energy economy.

The Green Jobs Challenge September 2010

While Australian politicians continue to take the slowly-slowly approach to tackling climate change, the lack of coordinated national policies to scale the clean energy industry to secure jobs, manufacturing capacity, and research and development, is setting us even further behind.

According to last month's Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan by Beyond Zero Emissions, Australia's shift to a low-carbon economy from 2010 to 2020 will create just over 80,000 jobs from installation of renewable energy infrastructure at the peak of construction, plus over 45,000 continuing jobs in operations and maintenance.

But do we have the capability and skill in Australia to deliver these projects?

A new report yet to be released from the Workplace Research Centre (WRC) in the faculty of economics and business in the University of Sydney has found more 'green collar' jobs are needed if key climate change challenges facing the Australian economy are to be met.

Commissioned by International Labour Organisation (ILO), the Skills for Green Jobs in Australia report, by Dr Mike Rafferty and Serena Yu, focuses on the potential employment impacts of moving to a low-carbon economy and considers (among other issues) supporting the emergence of new jobs in rising industries such as the renewable energy sector; and the 'greening' of established jobs.

The summary version of the report highlights the importance of regulatory certainty and consistency in driving market demand, the role of government incentives to drive behavioural and business change, the importance of industry and government collaboration to foster development and commercialisation of technologies, and of design and delivery of training courses – all, it says, are vital in ensuring that green collar jobs and skills continue to develop.

The research also finds that Australia is well positioned to take advantage of growth in lower-emission goods and services, particularly in the renewable energy and land and water resource management.

In Australia, however, there remains no agreed upon definition for ‘green’ occupations, which makes it very difficult to estimate what new and emerging occupations currently exist, or are likely to be created with various green economy plans.

Looking further afield, The United Nations Environment Program has defined a 'green job' as one that contributes substantially to preserving or restoring environmental quality.

The United States Department of Labour has taken a unique and interesting approach by defining three main employment areas:

– Green Growth Occupation: Existing occupations expected to increase in demand due to the addition of greener processes. Some new skills are expected to be needed.

– Green Enhanced Occupation: Existing occupations that will experience significant change in work and worker skill requirements.

– Green New & Emerging Occupation: Unique new work and worker skill requirements. Will result in new occupations.

The debate around the creation and nurturing of green jobs has certainly had its fair share of media attention in the US. Democrat Senator Jeff Bingaman, who is also chairman of the Senate Energy & Natural Resource Committee, called last week for the establishment of a federal Clean Energy Deployment Administration. In an op-ed on Politico.com, Bingaman argued that the US could not compete in the 'green race' using R&D and technological breakthroughs alone, and needed stronger policies to scale its clean energy industry through direct deployment and manufacturing, thus attracting more R&D in the long term.

In The New York Times, also last week, Thomas Friedman argued that China is doing a better job of securing clean energy jobs than the US due to stronger domestic demand arising from effective government policies.

And in July, Intel co-founder Andy Grove said in an interview with BusinessWeek that Asian countries "seem to understand that job creation must be the number one objective of state economic policy. The government plays a strategic role in setting the priorities and arraying the forces and organisation necessary to achieve this goal. The rapid development of the Asian economies provides numerous illustrations."

A report by the Australia Institute, meanwhile, says that what seems to be missing from the preoccupation with green jobs is an understanding that all economic activity creates jobs. Moving to a low-carbon economy may well involve reducing jobs in industries that produce fossil fuels, but it will also create them in renewable energy industries.

For Australia, a comprehensive taxonomy to capture and measure where we are at in the shift to a low-carbon economy, and where we need to be, would be a good start, to help implement more ambitious initiatives and meet our key climate and economic goals.

Lisa Tarry is managing director of sustainable recruitment agency Turning Green

Turning Green E-Newsletter July 2010

Welcome to Turning Green the specialist recruitment firm focused on placing talent into sustainability, climate change and environmental roles. The July 2010 e-newsletter edition considers the views of our new Prime Minister particularly in the area of policy changes to the Renewable Energy Targets and we look at the reality of getting energy efficiency right to fuel job growth in this area.

In each edition we will profile sectors, real jobs that exist within these sectors, sourcing strategies, an overview of our available candidates in a myriad of disciplines plus other available technologies. We will take you on an economic, social and environmental journey through green recruitment in the corporate world. 

You will discover that the term ‘green-to-gold’ is not just a buzz phrase people are throwing around – it is real, and by turning green, the bottom line can actually grow. Most of us want to be more sustainable and save resources both at home and in the workplace but it can be hard to know where to start. Through understanding your touch points and where you can make a difference in your work, we can help you to manage your career in a more sustainable manner.

We are excited to have commentary from Mirvac, Telstra and the Sustainable Learning Institute and also Simon Carter's new presentation - hot off the pressA Convenient Truth a focus on what IS progressing in the world, rather than what isn't. We also preview a sustainable house and how our decisions can increase demand for skills in this burgeoning area of green architecture.

Don't miss our sector profile on solar, and an interesting trendwatching video - Car vs. Phone - if YOU had to choose between your car and your phone, which one would it be? By Lisa Tarry

Turning Green in the Press - The Australian Weekend Professional June 2010

The Australian Weekend Professional June 2010

Turning Green E-newsletter May 2010

Welcome to Turning Green the recruitment firm focused on placing talent into sustainability, climate change and environmental roles.  This e-newsletter May 2010 edition considers both the Commonwealth Budget and the numerous factors affecting both existing and potential job opportunities for professionals in this area, based on Prime Minister Rudds announced plans to delay the introduction of the proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) until at least 2013.

In each edition we will profile sectors, real jobs that exist within these sectors, sourcing strategies, an overview of our available candidates in a myriad of disciplines plus other available technologies.  We will take you on an economic, social and environmental journey through green recruitment in the corporate world. 

You will discover that the term ‘green-to-gold’ is not just a buzz phrase people are throwing around – it is real, and by turning green, the bottom line can actually grow.  We will outline the complex backdrop this evolution is emerging against, uncover the barriers to progress and the inconsistencies but above all, demonstrate how it is possible for businesses with the right resources to ensure Australia is competitive in the emerging clean energy economy.  

Don't miss our sector profile on wind featuring a more in depth version of the video below outlining real jobs in renewable energy.  By Lisa Tarry

Greening Education, Increasing Employability by Jodi Smith, March 2010

GREEN EDUCATION? GREEN CAREER OR GREENED CAREER

Green education is the inclusion of green skills and lessons on sustainability as it relates to any industry or profession. Employability is often contingent on having a diverse range of marketable skills, not in the least green and sustainability skills that green education affords.

Green education is not limited to any one industry or occupation, as green skills are transferable and integral in a new low?carbon economy. Green education is therefore essential to ensure employees remain at the forefront of their industries, and also to ensure a constant stream of qualified graduates with green skills and knowledge.

Studies indicate that self-education is essential to enhance employability in a competitive employment market (Clarke, 2008). Central to this is an awareness of current market trends, social and political impetus that are impacting on your industry. An ability to self-evaluate your existing skills and areas of skill deficit is important. This will enable you to decide what green education courses best pertain to your specific needs. 

DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENTS

On the domestic front, the Council of Australian Governments (meeting of Federal, State and Territory governments) has agreed to adopt several schemes to enhance general employability, with an emphasis on green skills in particular. For example, the National Green Skills Agreement (2009) is an initiative designed to ensure that standardised sustainability skills are included in vocational education and training courses. This marks a formal recognition of the importance of sustainability studies across all areas of study, and the practical application of this knowledge and skills for Australian businesses.

This mirrors an international trend towards green education; the understanding that green jobs and green skills upgrading is essential to conservation and social development in both industrialised and developing countries (UNEP, 2008). The case for green skills and sustainable practice also stems from an economic rationale that green jobs present a new business opportunity which creates jobs and incurs lower energycosts. On a social level, green practice can also generate goodwill among customers and community. There is therefore a multifaceted case for green education. 

COURSES OFFERED

Primary education is increasingly seen as a vehicle of green education, and a precursor for the pursuit of green jobs. Early career exposure to green skills helps to navigate a green employment pathway. An understanding of green skills at a pre-tertiary level inevitably enhances labour market skills, increases ability to choose an appropriate green career, and elevates employment prospects overall. Though not government?mandated, throughout Australia several schools have incorporated practical and theoretical sustainability education series as part of the school curriculum.

Most of the 39 universities and countless other TAFE’s throughout Australia offer degrees in these areas. Degrees can be done full-time or part-time, often with night school options available, though there are often field work components. Undergraduate ‘green’ degrees can be divided into two main university faculties; science and engineering. Double degrees are also possible in faculties such as economics and education, offering the chance to ‘green’ your degree and broaden your skills set.

A list of Australian universities and TAFE’s and their respective websites can be found at www.australian?universities.com.

Similarly, there are several NGO and business?run short courses for professional development in green skills and sustainability. A snapshot of institutions that run such courses include EnviroEase, Moreland Energy Foundation, EcoBuy, SAI Global, Point Carbon, Ecosmart Electricians, Carbon Training International, California Green Solutions, Centre for Sustainability Leadership, and GEMS.

Courses offered by these institutions range from environmental regulations and management skills to retrofitting workplaces to carbon emissionmeasurement and accounting. There is therefore large scope to increase one’s professional development across a broad range of green skills. A comprehensive list of courses are available on each organisation’s website.

Apart from offering post-graduate degrees in green fields, universities also offer several short courses in green skills, such as emissions trading, carbon accounting and energy law. Here is a list of Australian universities that offer these services; AGSM (UNSW), Swinburne U. of Technology, Monash U., Macquarie U., Murdoch U., Sydney U., Bond U., The Harvard Distance School, U. Of Queensland and RMIT. A detailed list of courses and locations can be found on each university’s website. 

CAREER PROSPECTS AND TYPES OF EMPLOYMENT

Obviously green skills can be directly related to green jobs in the renewable sectors, including solar,wind, geothermal, hydro and biomass. However, it is also useful to think more obtusely, and look at how other areas can appropriate green skills. Jobs in these areas extend to several related

industries, including engineering and design, sciences (agriculture, biology, chemistry, ecology, environment, marine, molecular, physics, photovoltaic and more), policy and government,construction and maintenance, law and business, marketing and finance. Green skills are essential to remaining at the forefront of your industry as Australia and the world experiences increasing pressure to embrace more sustainable business and lifestyle practices.

The transition to a green career is sometimes a linear process, other times it is more ad-hoc. In one example, Turning Green Consultants placed Sarah Kinsela, an Environmental Science graduate with a Post graduate Certificate in Environmental Management, into a senior sustainability consulting role. Sarah diversified her education experience, working in education in Ecuador. Yet, she continued her green career as an environmental projects officer at a local council. Sarah progressed through the ranks to become sustainability coordinator, which then led to the role of sustainability engineer. This gave Sarah invaluable project management and environmental systems implementation experience.

Whilst the demand for green skills has never been higher, green education opportunities must be harnessed to address these skill shortages (Arnett, 2009). An awareness of green education programs available presents an opportunity for all Australians; students, graduates and employees, to pursue fulfilling careers with a green edge.

The Clean Energy Council of Australia (CEC) has produced reports that show that over 28, 000 new jobs are expected to be created in energy efficiency industries in Australia by 2020. The CEO of CEC, Matthew Warren, states that "This is a tremendous opportunity for employers, investors, education providers and jobseekers to reap the benefits of a green jobs revolution". When extrapolated to other related industries, and the large number of jobs therein, the importance of green skills and sustainability knowledge becomes more vital. Evidently, green education is essential to maintaining business competitiveness and enhancing personal employability prospects.

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More information about this topic in our Education&Training section

  

References

Arnett, Sally E. et al., Career and Technical Education: Pursuing a Pipeline for the New Green Collar Workforce, Techniques 84(6) p. 36?40

Clarke, M. (2008) Managing Employability for the Future: Perspectives and Implications, International Employment Relations Review, 14(1) p. 51?62

UNEP (2008) Green Jobs: Towards Decent work in a Sustainable, Low?Carbon World, UNON (pub.), available atwww.unep.org/labour_environment/features/greenjobs.asp

Jodi Smith works at Turning Green Consultants