Go green by degrees with these sustainable qualifications

Green-collar jobs are red hot, and they aren’t just trending for Earth Day — they’re here for the long haul.

According to “Accelerating the Sustainable Workforce,” a new report by Manpower Group, a global provider of workforce solutions, 70% of employers are urgently recruiting or planning to recruit talent with sustainable skills.

The report points to education and skills transformation as top priorities in the labor market.

Getting schooled to boost your shot at making your mark in sustainability is a total no-brainer. Here are some options to get you started.

Electric vehicle diagnostic technician

As e-vehicles become more prevalent, the need for technicians increases whenever EV charging stations malfunction.

SkillFusion, a customer service platform for training, certification and compliance of electronic vehicle supply equipment electricians, technicians and EV communication technicians, offers this introductory program for an industry-recognized certification.

“These courses are designed for entry-level individuals seeking to advance their careers in this growing sector,” said Rue Phillips, SkillFusion’s president and co-founder. “The completion and certification as an EDT will provide connectivity to additional career pathways in the electrical industry.”

Cost: $350 class fee; $150 exam fee.

Public grounds management

This certificate comes from Rutgers University’s continuing professional education on landscape maintenance.

Students can expect to learn about soil science, managing insect pests and plant diseases and proper pruning techniques, to name a few.

Most courses, lasting one to two days, are held in person in New Brunswick and include hands-on activities. Some online offerings are available, too.

“Students can attend classes targeting the care of athletic fields as well as safety concerns and liability issues — critical considerations for town and municipal employees,” said Karen A. Plumley, Ph.D., director of the office of continuing professional education at Rutgers University.
Cost: $2,515.

Environmental sustainability

This bachelor’s degree at William Paterson University in Wayne, NJ, encompasses sciences, society, politics, public health and policy.

Courses include energy and sustainable technology, environmental law and ecosystem sustainability. Evening, hybrid and online classes are offered. Graduates tend to land jobs at environmental consulting firms, government agencies, nonprofits and as educators.

“Students will build lab and field skills that are marketable and relevant for a rapidly growing green job market,” said Nicole Davi, Ph.D., chairperson and professor, department of environmental science at William Paterson University.

Plus, “students will have the opportunity to work one-on-one with our faculty to get involved in original research. Our research topics have covered such issues as microplastics in the environment, studying climate change through ancient megalodon teeth and evaluating climate change and impacts in New Jersey through the study of its trees.”

Cost: Approximately $12,826 each semester. Financial aid may be possible.

Environmental studies

Adelphi University in Garden City, LI, offers a master’s degree in environmental studies that combines science and humanities. Two concentrations are available — global human environment and global physical environment — along with two optional specializations in business/environmental economics and environment and health.

It typically takes two years for full-time students to complete the program, but an accelerated option is available for students to complete a bachelor’s and master’s degree in under five years.

Most courses on campus are offered in the late afternoon to early evening, which can accommodate full-time work schedules. Some classes meet weekly; others are offered online.

Brian Wygal, Ph.D., director of environmental studies and sciences at Adelphi University, said: “ENV alumni go on to successful careers, including some of the following examples: earth science teacher in New York public schools, geographic information systems analyst for local city governments, lead environmental risk assessor, senior research associate at the American Museum of Natural History and federal service in the Environmental Protection Agency.”

Cost: $1,490 per credit hour. Financial aid may be possible.

Business administration in sustainability

Ranked as the best green MBA by the “Princeton Review,” Bard College offers a hybrid curriculum for full-time and part-time students pursuing their MBA in sustainability.

Two-thirds of the degree is delivered in person in Dumbo and the remainder is online.

“Think of it as 20 four-day retreats spread out over two years and tied together by online,” said Eban Goodstein, Ph.D., director of the center for environmental policy at Bard.

The MBA teaches traditional business school courses that improve environmental performance and profitability. It attracts diverse student backgrounds such as dancers, teachers, biologists and bankers, who earn six credits over two semesters in teams of four students for unpaid consulting projects with companies.

“It can be finance, strategy, marketing, operations — it might be helping a company transfer to renewable energy or with ESG reporting,” said Goodstein.

According to Goodstein, students reported an average salary increase of $50,000 after earning this degree.

Cost: $41,204 tuition for first-year full-time students. Financial aid may be possible.