As I have continued to track jobs/careers in Green-Tech, I've noticed that (of course) most of the activity is elsewhere in Texas and Nationally (rather than Austin – which folks never seem to want to leave). That being said… I think there's far many more "Green- Careers" out there, then people know. They just take a LOT of Tech Know-how (> than a non-profit Co-op background prepared us for)! I wish more folks knew about these options. Although some are "corporate," tech-employers are getting all the retro-fit  and efficiency contracts [i.e. Siemans, got Bay City TX… one of 45 TX cities, who just got funded for Solar and Energy Retrofits by the State…I'm assuming via SECO &/or the Feds].  

 

There are so many training programs at ACC which are under-utilized (like our CE Auto-CAD program at Northridge, which is great for independent inventor-types who want to render their green ideas into "proto-types" for production). I also worked the 1st ever SXSW Interactive-Tech Career Expo, this Spring. Mucho work in animation, IT-coding/Apps. "Smart Phones for Smart Homes!" Most Solar install work is actually outside of TX… and lots of companies are asking for "Sales" help! A NABCEP-trained solar sales person – who can size, configure and price systems well – is ideal for this.

 

The best general "Green/Tech Jobs" website I'm tracking-thru is now, is the Green Job (Web) Spider: www.greenjobspider.com. 

 

Over 1,000 folks in Austin were trained in Solar Installation, from 2010-now (Imagine Solar and the IBEW). At ACC, we've probably trained another 1,000 (including the women and credit students at Riverside Campus in Electronics (Smart Grid, Utility, Solar, Wind). People very much want these "green" jobs – but we are in a time of "migrant" projects (like the old CCC Corps) – one has to travel!

 

I traveled my whole life to engage in community tourism projects…it's just the nature of our Earth-Project (worker bees must travel). For the older/more experienced project-manager/engineer/architect/compliance officers… seems like the sky is the limit – right now.

 

There are lots of the old-school "advocacy" jobs…but much more! Ex: Last week there was a job posting that opened and closed here in Austin, at CLEAResult. These folks develop case-by-case break-even/ROI Plans, convincing organizations/corps, that they can't afford NOT to conserve!