Green Jobs and the Role of the University

1
Green 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

2
Green 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.

3
Green 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.

4
Shade 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.
  

5
Green 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.
  

6
Sustainability 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)
7
Green 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!

8
Role 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.

9
Need 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.

10
Role 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.

11
Role 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.
  

12
Role 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

13
Role 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

14
Role 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

15
Rutgers 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

16
Rutgers 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.

17
Research 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

18
Rutgers 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.

19
Conclusion

• 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