Women and Trades in the Green Economy

Collage: Women and Trades in the Green Economy: Striving to Be Green All Year Round!
Credits: MS Office ClipArt - j0434449 + j0437324

2009 @ bizjunction.blogspot.com

I am sure there has been much discussion on the topic "How Women can fill the gap in the field of trades". Most definitely, industry forecasters acknowledge the current and ever growing the trade shortage. And, yes, it has been mentioned many times that more than half of Ontario’s skilled trades people will retire in the next 5 years and 4 out of every 10 businesses that depend on skilled trades are expected to face a labour shortage.

So, I ask the question: "Are you a woman looking at future jobs in trades?" Then, I would recommend you to research such occupations that embrace "the green economy". There is now a strong movement toward creating environmentally sustainable energy sources. With our current global financial crisis, it is even more crucial to be green! The colour "green" will pave the way for plentiful future jobs in trades.

For example, in the field of trades, the green movement will open up a lot of jobs for electricians, iron and steel workers, construction workers, and sheet metal workers. Construction workers in our greening economy will be able to get jobs retrofitting homes to make them more efficient. The biggest support for renovation and revitalization of construction jobs is the federal government offering a rebate for renovation, particularly with the emphasis on eco-retrofitters i.e. bumping up insulation, new tankless water heaters, etc… These two initiatives will offer more federal and provincial incentives for people to "go green".

Yes, indeed, money spent on retrofitting homes, and buildings will be a major economic driver for job development in the green economy. Some of the future plans for this green movement will include renewable energy tariffs, renewable energy goals for utilities /targets and the restrictions, and eventually the dissemination of new carbon emitting projects. All of these key objectives will push the government to develop more wind, solar and geothermal technology.

"Solar", "wind" and "sustainable energy solutions" are the hot words for the 21st century. As such, jobs in trades and professions will increase for water treatment; installation of solar energy systems i.e. installation of solar water heaters, reforestation, and cleaning up contaminated sites. Yes, indeed, the future of women in trades and in the green economy looks favorable.

For more research re: jobs in trades go to:

• Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program
• Possibilities: Skilled Trades Overview
• Apprenticesearch.com: Recruitment, Resources, Results
• CareerMATTERS: All Apprenticeships
• Ontario Job Futures: the current trends and future outlook for 163 occupations common to Ontario
• Second Career: A New Career, for Life
• ontariojobfutures.ca: Ontario Job Futures
• Jobboom Canada: Online job search

Copyright © D. A. Wright, June 2009. All rights reserved

Di Wright, B.A., Dipl. in Ad. Ed, Certified ESL Business Teacher, and Career Coach, Member of Career Professionals of Canada
Voice Mail: 416-208-3982
Website: diwright.info
LinkedIn: diwright
Blog: Communications and Career Coaching
Author: "Serendipity: A Journalling Workbook"

link:
Pursuit Of Employment: Is there an Art to Mastering Change?
by Di Wright