The US job market is in a difficult state with a large number of graduates battling unemployment. But, the green industry is one industry which has the exceptional potential to grow.
To exploit this industry which seems to have a brighter future compared to most of the other industries in the gloomy market, San Diego State University's College of Extended Studies will help students find jobs in this growing industry by offering four online certificate programs during the fall semester in this industry arena. According to a report by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, this is a sector that includes 3.1 million jobs in America.
The report noted that manufacturing jobs in the green economy account for nearly 500,000 jobs, "the most among any private sector industry," according to BLS.
The BLS added that California had the highest amount of green jobs with 338,400. It is followed by New York (248,500), Texas (229,700), Pennsylvania (182,000), Illinois (139,800), and Ohio (126,900).
The University wants to create a "green workforce" through its four green-related online certificate programs which include Green Building Construction, Green Energy Management, Residential and Commercial Sustainable Practices and Water Management and Landscape Sustainability. Apparently, the University is the first college in the nation to offer "professional certificates in the green industry."
SDSU claims that each of these certificate programs have led to numerous students landing jobs within the green industry. As an example, John Davis completed the Professional Certificate in Green Energy Management Online program and is now the vice president of Solare Energy Inc. in San Diego.
Recently, SDSU's College of Extended Studies received an E.A.R.T.H. (Environmental Action and Restoration That Helps) Award.Since each of the green certificate programs offered by SDSU's College of Extended Studies are online, students have 24/7 access to the curriculum, as long as they have a computer.