Looking to switch up careers or take on a job where you can make a difference? Consider joining a company as a green collar worker. Demand for skills and jobs related to sustainability is rising all across the US and in major cities around the world. According to LinkedIn’s Global Green Skills Report, companies that are looking to attract environmentally conscious consumers are on the hunt for green talent, and it’s the reason why the hiring rate of sustainability workers in America outpaced overall hiring by about 80 percent. But if this trend continues until 2030, it’s likely that companies may fail to fill one in five green jobs due to the lack of qualified candidates.
There is an increasing number of open positions and opportunities to join sustainable organizations. However, those who want to switch to a career in sustainability may encounter some roadblocks during the application process since most businesses are looking for experienced workers to fill certain roles. So if you’re thinking about building a career in sustainability, here’s how to acquire relevant skills and experience to get hired for a green collar job.
Take Classes and Explore Training Programs
Being hired for a sustainability-related job takes more than just being passionate about saving the planet. Just as individuals with traditional manual skills jobs, such as mechanics, plumbers, and electricians need to complete vocational training and apprenticeships, those who want to secure a green job should take classes and enroll in training programs to gain knowledge and develop the right skills. Think about taking classes on environmental science, nature-based solutions, or practicing sustainability and ethics in a college or university within your area.
You can also get certified by taking open online courses if you’re unable to attend in-person classes. The UN Environment Programme has several massive open online courses (MOOC) to choose from, and they’re all free. Take your pick from courses on Nature-Based Solutions for Disaster and Climate Resilience, Marine Litter, or Sea Nutrient Cycle and Wastewater Management. For more free courses, check out the SDG Academy, which offers over 50 self paced classes on topics like Sustainable Development in the 21st Century, Ecosystem-Based Adaptation, and The Science and Global Impact of Climate Change, among others.
Look for Opportunities to Get Real Experiences
One surefire way to get considered for a green collar job is to get experience through on-the-job or workplace mentorship programs. More than 70 percent of Fortune 500 companies offer mentorship programs, but to gain relevant experience for sustainability jobs, consider applying for mentorship with a science or STEM-focused company. It’s also a good idea to get hands-on training from businesses that produce or market eco-friendly solutions or products. Think about getting an internship or apprenticeship at a sustainable clothing company, an eco-friendly skincare business, a winery that produces organic or natural wine, or a sustainable food retailer or restaurant.
If you’re still in school, try acquiring real-life experiences by joining environmental clubs, starting a community garden or recycling initiative, or organizing a sustainable market or fair. Doing so allows you to develop marketable green job skills that’s fit for a wide variety of roles, and make you a more attractive candidate for sustainability jobs.
Aim to Have a Green Career That You’ll Enjoy
There’s a wide variety of green careers out there. While most people associate sustainability jobs with hands-on work with nature, there are lots of roles that may be a good fit for you if you don’t have the qualifications or desire to be a marine biologist, ecologist, or an air quality engineer. For instance, if you’ve always loved the idea of becoming a journalist, why not pursue a career in environmental journalism or photography? You’ll get to write about ecological issues, local initiatives to save the environment, and put the spotlight on endangered plant and animal species.
If you’d rather have a career in fashion, you can be a sustainable clothing designer to offset the carbon impact of fast fashion. You may also apply to be a sustainable fashion buyer for a retailer to give independent sustainable clothing brands some exposure and floor space in major department stores or boutiques. Like the idea of a traditional office job? Perhaps you have what it takes to be a sustainability manager or consultant. This job allows you to help businesses develop and perfect their strategies to become more ethical and environmentally-friendly.
The green collar revolution is here, so plan on being a part of it if you want to have a fruitful career. Consider the tips above to gain experience and skills to be considered for a green collar job, and see how fulfilling it is to have a sustainability-related career.
Photo by Tima Miroshnichenko
