Workers installing solar panels on a roof

Green Jobs 

New, federal investments in clean energy infrastructure will require a ready and trained workforce. Green jobs include: electricians supporting energy efficiency and renewable energy, HVAC technicians, weatherization workers, housing constructors, manufacturers of sustainable technologies, and other professional jobs such as consultants, engineers, and building operators. Green jobs are a growing industry, and the City of Milwaukee is committed to increasing diversity in these fields. 

Explore Resources

  • Energy Efficiency
  • Renewable Energy
  •  Green Infrastructure
  •  Green Buildings Career Map
  •  Solar Career Map

Better Buildings Challenge Logo

Millions of Americans work on the energy infrastructure that powers the U.S. and in the buildings that power our economy. Through the U.S. Department of Energy Better Buildings Workforce Development, find resources, information, and other materials to help you address your workforce needs and take the next step toward an impactful career in energy efficiency.

 

Midwest Renewable Energy Association Logo

The Midwest Renewable Energy Association (MREA) offers industry-leading professional training for solar photovoltaics. MREA courses are accredited by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) and meet the educational requirements for credentialing by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP). Whether you want to start a career in the renewable energy field, maintain a credential, or install solar on your home, MREA has a variety of courses to advance your skills, both online and in-person.

National Green Infrastructure Certification Program Logo

The National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP) provides the base-level skill set needed for entry-level workers to properly construct, inspect and maintain green stormwater infrastructure. Designed to meet international best practice standards, NGICP is a tool that can be used for professional development and as part of a larger workforce development to provide candidates with the technical skills necessary to enter the green workforce.

The Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewarage District is participating in the program to help Milwaukee grow its green workforce by providing community members with the skills to design, install, and maintain green infrastructure while earning a livable wage.

Green Buildings Career Map logo

The Green Buildings Career Map is an interactive tool that explores an industry exploding with job opportunities across four major sectors of the green buildings and energy efficiency industry. The map also includes a section on “New-Collar” jobs—those that don’t require a traditional four-year degree, but rather rely on gaining skills through on-the-job training, high school technical education, on-the-job apprenticeships, vocational schools, technical certification programs, community colleges, the military, and internships.

Solar Career Map Logo

Use the Solar Career Map to explore 40 jobs across four industry sectors. The map was developed by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC). As National Administrator of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Instructor Training Network, IREC works with solar and workforce experts around the country—leaders from education, government, business, labor, and community—to produce this highly-acclaimed interactive tool.

Local Opportunities 

  • Local Job Resources
  • Green Jobs Accelerator
  • Community Engagement

Local Job RePeople looking at water technology in The Water Council sources

Use these local resources to get connected to green job opportunities:

Solar panels being installed by workersGreen Jobs Accelerator

The Green Jobs Accelerator is one of the Ten Big Ideas as part of Milwaukee's forthcoming Climate and Equity Plan.

It aims to:

  • Build excitement and jobs skills
  • Increase diversity in the field
  • Create transitional jobs and career ladders
  • Provide family-supporting jobs to residents
  • Create a community benefits agreement for public projects
  • Aid Black and Brown-owned business development
  • Clarify pathways through communication materials

More details to come.

Blue Skies Landscaping Program workers planting outsideCommunity Engagement

In February 2018, ECO and Blue Skies Landscaping began a year-long project to increase the climate resilience and sustainability of Milwaukee’s Lindsay Heights neighborhood with funding from the Institute for Sustainable Communities.

These projects were significant for Blue Skies Landscaping in that they were among the first green infrastructure projects where Blue Skies served as general contractor, significantly expanding their training and capacity to take on larger projects in the future. An associated solar installer job shadowing program resulted in two area young adults being hired by a regional solar installation company. 

Learn more about the Blue Skies Landscaping Program

This site is powered by the Northwoods Titan Content Management System

Menu

X