Green energy touted for fast employment opportunities

By VIRGINIA SHANK

Tribune Chronicle

CHAMPION - As the economy continues shifting, an increasing number of displaced workers and other job-seekers likely will be looking at alternative opportunities. Green could be the answer, said Marie DaBelko, work force and continuing studies coordinator at Kent State University Trumbull Campus.

"Many people are looking at ways to be trained or retrained," DaBelko said. "They're looking at every possibility and looking at what jobs might be available in the future."

DaBelko addressed a small group gathered Tuesday night at the Trumbull Campus to hear more about green energy training opportunities. DaBelko said several green energy training courses are offered online through the local campus.

The campus works with companies that provide online training such as ProTrain, a North Carolina-based company that offers courses on green, clean-tech and sustainable business practices, she said.

Addressing the group through a teleconference call, Tony Davis of ProTrain said he expects a need for trained workers in "energy-efficiency jobs" and environmentally friendly green jobs to increase dramatically over the next few decades.

Two areas in which workers likely will be needed are weatherization and solar electricity, he said.

"We can't say for sure how many jobs right now," he said. "But I believe it's going to happen. A lot of people are not sure what they want to do, but they know they need to retrain, and green jobs are the way to go."

Davis said there are several training opportunities available online, including entry-level green training classes. Although the courses are not accredited, they provide fast training opportunities.

"Most folks are looking for short-term career training that can get them a job quickly," he said. "They're not looking for a degree."

DaBelko said that she expects the campus to offer green energy training classes on-site.

"This is all very new," she said. "But I think it will become more and more necessary. It's something I definitely believe will become part of what we offer here."

The presentation was part of Green Energy Ohio's most recent meeting. The group typically meets every other month and has scheduled its next gathering for May 25 at Kent State Trumbull.

vshank@tribtoday.com