| | | | | capacity as today’s utility workers. This will also |
| Many of us look forward to the day when the | | | | have to become a group with some engineering and |
| “utility” company is a wind-powered farm | | | | background knowledge in the systems they are |
| somewhere on a sunny hilltop, rather than a few | | | | supporting. |
| smoke spewing coal plants in the middle of America. | | | | This also means that such areas as wastewater |
| While that day is actually getting closer and closer, | | | | management and even trash collecting will change as |
| the need for a new workforce is also becoming | | | | well. Clearly tomorrow’s workforce is in for many |
| imperative. | | | | educational challenges, especially as the transition |
| The jobs of the future, particularly where renewable | | | | from many of the current systems is going to occur |
| energy is concerned, will be as diverse as the careers | | | | within the next few decades. |
| available today. There is going to be a large number | | | | Clearly, every segment of industry is going to see |
| of well-trained engineers required, there will also be | | | | some widespread change as well. Imagine the impact |
| the need for everyone from clerks and managers to | | | | on the farming and agricultural communities, |
| field workers who will understand exactly how all of | | | | manufacturing sectors and even the health industry |
| the new technologies will operate. | | | | when alternative energy begins to be used widely. |
| Renewable resources include sun, water, wind and | | | | Many modern materials will become outdated and |
| even Biofuels and this translates to an incredibly | | | | many forms of equipment will have to accommodate |
| diverse range of educational backgrounds and | | | | new forms of energy or operational techniques. Solar |
| disciplines. While many of the traditional technologies, | | | | powered computers, tractors, solar fountains and |
| such as home wiring, will not be radically different. | | | | machinery will radically alter the face of business and |
| The approach to ensuring that each home’s | | | | commerce. |
| solar, wind or thermal configuration will be incredibly | | | | All of this translates into millions of new opportunities |
| different from today’s electricians and HVAC | | | | for those interested in the technologies and |
| careers. | | | | possibilities of alternative energies. Today is the time |
| Of course the home application of the renewable | | | | and place to begin learning about them, and parents |
| energies is not the only area where new careers and | | | | and teachers should be making huge efforts to |
| jobs will occur. Consider that there will be all kinds of | | | | introduce students to their future world as this will |
| line workers and those who must serve in the same | | | | help us all get there faster. |