Additionally, I think SBA could create a green re-training program. This program could provide low-cost (or free) green re-training to unemployed people with the requirement that they use the training initially in a small business. Done in conjunction with a small business jobs clearinghouse, such a program could be very effective in providing valuable new employees to small businesses. This program would be in addition to the more targeted green education initiatives you discuss above.

There are currently millions of unemployed people (with tens to hundreds of thousands more each month). Many of these people come from service industries with little or no direct green-related skills. Some with general management, accounting, manufacturing, or mechanical skills may be able to directly apply their skills to green industry with little or no training. However, others may have few skills that are directly transferable, despite years of other education and work experience.

Providing green re-training for these folks will help provide a higher number of qualified workers for small green business initiatives, allowing these initiatives to get traction more quickly. These workers, while not possessing green experience, will possess other valuable experience, training and professionalism, something recent college graduates cannot provide. Finally, such an effort would help reduce the number of people on unemployment roles and add them back into the tax rolls.

Such a program would be a win-win-win program for the taxpayer/government, workers, and small business.

Brian

As Joe identified you as ex-DOE, you must be the ex-EERE fellow I knew.
I’ve enjoyed your posts, as well as Joe’s.

I’m retired, having been run out by an earlier ASEE.

Cheers, Jack