The future of work is green: US students embrace new skills as climate crisis looms
In a bustling classroom, high school students are engaged in a unique learning experience. On one side, they tend to tiny green sprouts, nurturing future crops with a drip irrigation system they built themselves. On the other, a model hydropower plant demonstrates the power of water movement, sparking curiosity about renewable energy.
"It's an eye-opening journey," shares Beckett Morrison, an 11th-grader. "With emerging technologies, studying renewable energy is crucial."
In 2023, Greenville County School District opened the Innovation Center, a hub for career training programs tailored to local industry needs. Here, students delve into the world of renewable energy, gaining skills for a future altered by climate change.
Even as political discourse questions the reality of climate change, schools across the nation are embracing clean energy classes and environmental sustainability lessons. This trend is driven by industries adapting to global competition, environmental changes, and cost-cutting measures, according to state and school leaders.
But here's where it gets controversial: even traditionally non-environmental jobs are evolving. Business accountants and building managers are now considering energy output reduction, while carpentry students learn about the health and environmental impact of wood, plastic, and fiberglass dust. It's a holistic approach to sustainability.
"Healthy employees mean reduced health insurance costs," explains Jon Wickert, Delaware's director of career and technical education. "We want our students to think innovatively, connecting their skills to a greener future."
Delaware is leading this movement, with plans to integrate environmental lessons into all middle and high school CTE courses. The goal is to ensure students in every industry understand sustainability and environmental impact.
And this is the part most people miss: the impact of climate change is personal. Delaware, the flattest state above sea level, is projected to lose 10% of its land to the ocean by the century's end. For states like this, every job is a green job, a sentiment echoed by Denise Purnell-Cuff, a contractor who worked on Delaware's statewide plan.
Clean energy jobs are growing faster than the US economy, with electric cars and renewable energy expected to dominate the global market by 2030. Under the Biden administration, schools accessed federal funding for climate-friendly initiatives, but much of that was canceled by the Trump administration last year.
Without federal funding, schools are seeking alternative sources to create greener CTE programs, driven by community needs. The Chicago Teachers Union, for instance, successfully negotiated green initiatives, including clean energy career pathways, into their contract. DC Public Schools is adding sustainability lessons to its agriculture program.
In Cook County, Buffalo Grove High School's Sustainability Academy has seen enrollment grow fivefold since its 2023 inception. Students engage in conversations about policy and their role in shaping the future. Located in the Buffalo Creek watershed, the academy offers a course on Sustainable Aquatics Systems, where students test water chemistry and learn about their community's ecosystem impact.
The academy was inspired by local job requirements, says Angel Johnson, division head of math and science. Advance CTE, an organization representing state and school leaders, is working with more communities to add sustainability to their programs, particularly with the last administration's infrastructure investments.
Even in conservative states where climate change isn't a priority, communities are recognizing the economic and workforce benefits of sustainable CTE programs. Ohio, for example, a red state, now has three major metropolitan areas with climate literacy and action plans, focusing on environmental outcomes in CTE and non-CTE programs.
In Greenville, home to automotive and energy giants like BMW and GE Vernova, students are learning about electric and hybrid vehicles and renewable energy sources. These lessons not only benefit the environment but also enhance their career prospects.
"All manufacturing has a sustainability component," says Katie Porter, director of the CTE Innovation Center. Industry officials helped decide the center's course offerings, ensuring relevance to local industries.
Students like Morrison travel from across the county to attend the center, enrolling in programs like clean and renewable energy, aerospace technology, and automation and robotics. In the clean energy classes, students can pursue engineering or become electricians and energy auditors, all without necessarily needing college degrees.
The clean energy technology program at the Innovation Center has about 25 high school students. Over three years, they work on projects, with one student building a piezoelectric plate that generates electricity when stepped on. Throughout the program, students present their work to community industry leaders.
For Morrison, the energy courses have been eye-opening, offering solutions regardless of his future industry. Reducing society's environmental impact is a key consideration in his career choices.
"It's paramount," he says. "Renewable energy is a powerful tool to mitigate our impact."
What are your thoughts on the future of green jobs and the role of education in shaping a sustainable future? Share your insights in the comments below!
