Green Job Career and Internship Fair

Interested in learning more about green career or internship opportunities?  Attend the Environmental Internship and Career Fair at the Saint Paul Campus Career Center.   The event is being held on February 3, 2010 from 1-5pm.  Represented career fields include:

• Green Products and Services
• Environmental Education
• EcoTourism
• Environmental Design
• Renewable/Alternative Energy
• Sustainable and Organic Agriculture

 …and many more! 

For more information, call the St. Paul Campus Career Center at 612-624-2710 or just click here.

Running With the Wind: Trends in the Wind Energy Industry

Recently, labor market analyst Kate Aitchison reviewed job vacancy survey findings in the biofuels and wind energy industries.  Today, Cameron Macht, labor market analyst for the Central and Southwest Minnesota region, takes a more in-depth look at trends that are driving employment growth in the wind energy industry—both statewide and in southwest Minnesota.

By most measures, Minnesota is a national leader in the wind energy industry. Minnesota ranks first in the percentage of its electricity generated from wind, has the fourth-largest amount of installed wind power capacity, and has the ninth-highest wind energy potential in the U.S. As the industry continues to grow, there will be more opportunities for jobseekers.

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Jobs in the Wind Power Industry

The biofuel production and wind power industries have both experienced a lot of growth in the state in recent years.  Both are expected to help lead the way to Minnesota’s greener and more renewable energy future. What are the employment opportunities in these industries?  Do you have what employers are looking for? This two-part series by Labor Market Analyst Kate Aitchison explores results from Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED’s) semi-annual Job Vacancy Survey and provides ideas on how you can move into these fields.  Last week’s installment offered insights on jobs in the biofuels industry. Today’s takes an in-depth looks at jobs in the wind power industry.  

Part 2: Wind Power

What are the jobs like?

The wind power industry has been growing steadily in Minnesota over the past years. There are 84 wind farms spread throughout Minnesota where the turbines generate electricity as the wind blows. Additionally, there are construction companies, development professionals and plenty of support and maintenance positions in this field. The Job Vacancy Survey focused on those workers who help operate and maintain wind turbines.

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Jobs in the Biofuels Industry

The biofuel production and wind power industries have both experienced a lot of growth in the state in recent years.  Both are expected to help lead the way to Minnesota’s greener and more renewable energy future. What are the employment opportunities in these industries?  Do you have what employers are looking for? This two-part series by Labor Market Analyst Kate Aitchison explores results from Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development’s (DEED’s) semi-annual Job Vacancy Survey and provides ideas on how you can move into these fields.  Today’s installment takes an in-depth looks at jobs in the biofuels industry.  Next week’s will offer insights on jobs in the wind energy production industry.

Part 1: Biofuels

What are the jobs like? 

Biofuels refer to transportation fuels made from organic materials.  The most common biofuel is ethanol, a fuel usually made from corn.  Biodiesel is the other main biofuel, and it is typically made from soybeans or other natural oils.   

Jobs in these types of plants are similar to those in other manufacturing settings, with the majority of people working in production facilities. Minnesota has 21 ethanol plants and 5 plants that make biodiesel. These 26 locations had an average of 18 job openings when they were surveyed over the past two years. Most of the people working in this field were offered wages between $49,000 and $55,000 per year. 

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Learn about the Skills Needed in Green Jobs

O*NET, the authoritative national source of occupation information, has a new website devoted to green occupations.  O*NET collects skill data on 800+ occupations, so the new website is a great place  (in fact, the only place) to find comprehensive information on what skills are needed in green jobs.  To view skill information, to the green home page, then click on the Online Search tab.  Then  choose a green sector to view information about occupations in the sector.