Although there are many jobs in the green economy that don’t require special education, it’s often helpful to have specific training or degrees if you want to increase your earning power and responsibility. Below is a sampling of programs and training that can help you out:

Masters programs: These can include advanced degrees in environmental engineering, environmental sciences, and much more-

• M.S. in Sustainability Management: Offered by Columbia University; focused on the complex issues of environmental and sustainability management; contact Louise Rosen, lar46@columbia.edu
• M.S. in Environment & Community: Offered by Antioch University; approach environmental policy and sustainability issues from both a social science and natural science perspective; contact http://www.enviroeducation.com/cgi-bin/trk.cgi?http://www.antiochsea.edu/academics/enviro/index.html
• M.S. in Public Policy & Management: Offered by Carnegie Mellon University; focuses on environmental policy and research; contact http://www.heinz.cmu.edu/school-of-public-policy-management/public-policy-management-msppm/index.aspx

Solar and Wind training:

• NABCEP Registered Providers  of Entry Level PV Exam: excellent resource with listings of community colleges and other training providers
• Solar Living Institute: Offers regular workshops on designing and installing photovoltaic systems
• Infinite Solar School PA: 5-day trainings for certification by NABCEP and IREC
• Ontility: Solar, wind, and energy efficiency training 
• Boots on the Roof: Solar and wind training aimed at HVAC contractors
• Solar Source Institute: Provides design, installation, and business-related training

Want to get a green job but don’t have the background or skills? You’re not alone - plenty of folks find themselves in the same boat. In addition to going back to school for more training, you should consider a volunteer or internship position at a green company.

One of the advantages of volunteering is that you can gain experience with an organization AND meet others who work in the green economy. These new contacts may help you in finding a paying job. You’ll also have the satisfaction of knowing that your efforts are helping valuable organizations - even if they don’t pay you right away.

A good place to start your hunt for a volunteer position is the Corporation for National and Community Service.This website has lots of great information about organizations that need volunteers, plus an extensive section on AmeriCorps, which has a number of green-focused positions (both paid and unpaid).

Internships provide a more focused, pre-professional work experience. An internship provides a way to ‘test the waters’ at a specific company or in a particular occupation without making the long term commitment of a full-time job. You can start your search at websites such Internweb.com, which enables you to specify location, industry, job function, time of year and keyword.

Internships can be paid or unpaid, and some may even offer college credit. However, make sure you are clear on the terms of the internship before accepting. Remember, keeping your long term focus on what you want to do in the green economy is key to finding an internship or volunteer position that will get you there.

Sure, you’d like to work in the green economy - but you don’t have previous experience or the right skills. What can you do to change that?

Training opportunities abound for green careers.   Some are short-term (a few weeks at most), and some require a commitment of a year or more. The good news is that it’s easier than ever to find green job training, and you can even do some of it over the internet!

Solar and Wind:

• NABCEP Registered Providers of Entry Level PV Exam: excellent resource with listings of community colleges and other training providers
• Solar Living Institute: Offers regular workshops on designing and installing photovoltaic systems
• Infinite Solar School PA: 5-day trainings for certification by NABCEP and IREC
• Ontility: Solar, wind, and energy efficiency training
  
• Boots on the Roof: Solar and wind training aimed at HVAC contractors
• Solar Source Institute: Provides design, installation, and business-related training

Environmental engineering:

• Universities and colleges: Most large universities offer environmental engineering degree programs; you can use this search tool to locate them
• American Academy of Environmental Engineers: Good source for accredited environmental engineering training programs

Green building:

• U.S. Green Building Council: Widely recognized as an authority for LEED and green building standards and training
• GreenBuilding.com: Aimed at architects, contractors, and homeowners
• Green Building Institute: Training in energy audits and related topics
• Geiger Research Institute: Focuses on straw bale house construction

This will get you started - good luck!