Many industries are trying to improve their environmental efficiency, and adult learners are stepping up to the task by going back to school.
The New York Times reports that several schools are responding to the need for environmental management specialists in the workforce by providing flexible certificate programs that teach individuals skills that are relevant to this field, such as constructing wind farms.
The majority of students in these new programs are adult learners who already hold managerial positions. The goal is to take these individuals and teach them to apply energy-efficient skills to their industry.
Some workers are taking these environmental management-related courses in an effort to gain a promotion as so many industries are looking to decrease their negative impact on the planet.
Stephanie Smith, academic vice president at Deleware Technical Community College, told the news source, "Lane [Community College] is the national leader in this program, and we are modeling our program on them." Other institutions with similar offerings are the American River College, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College and West Virginia University.
Lane Community College recently accelerated its program to help students complete their energy management degree in a shorter time due to an increased demand for skilled individuals.
The Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in a March 2010 report, estimated that job fields devoted to energy efficiency will grow to four times their current size within the next decade.
