The social and political momentum of green jobs has garnered interest, legislation and dollars to encourage the development of green work and industries across Wisconsin. But where do women – as workers, business owners, and leaders – fit in to this momentum? And, if they don’t, how will we engage them?  We invite you to be part of the dialogue on women, jobs and Wisconsin's green economy.  Use the links below to learn more about these important issues.

Check out the Women & Green Jobs Roundtable Photo Gallery!

Where Are the Women in Occupations Going Green?

Well paid, career track jobs that contribute directly to environmental quality represent a potential new face of the American economy. The American Solar Energy Society estimates that in 2006 alone, renewable energy and energy efficiency were responsible for $970 billion in industry revenues and 8.5 million jobs. 

Some green-collar jobs (e.g. wind turbine technician) are new occupations. However, most are similar to existing jobs but demand new skills and knowledge. Current and emerging green jobs are in the skilled trades: manufacturing, construction, operation and maintenance, and installation. Many require more education than a high school diploma but less than a four-year degree.

The National Renewable Energy Lab has identified a shortage of skills and training as a leading barrier to renewable energy and energy efficiency growth.

Women remain underrepresented in the major categories of jobs going green.

(Source: Women and the Green Economy, Wider Opportunites for Women, July 2009.)

Women, Jobs and Wisconsin’s Green Economy
Selected highlights from speakers and roundtable discussions
prepared by Anna Fosdick (WI DWD) & Christine Lidbury

• Use of Recovery dollars to spur focus on the Green Economy -- unprecedented opportunity to focus on the green economy.

• A greener labor market is not necessarily gender-neutral.

• Women are underrepresented in most green job categories.

• Need to be proactive in ensuring women are a part of the green economy.

• Need to be deliberate in linking women in different population groups to the green economy such as women in minority group, women veterans, and ESL groups.

• Use public policy and legislation to ensure funding opportunities include goals for women's participation and requires appropriate measures of progress/success.

• Helping women/girls see the value of math, science, technology, and engineering is critical.

• Encourage women to go into the skilled trades; provide specific information on nontraditional jobs and how career ladders lead to well-paying jobs.

• Identifying and supporting entrepreneurship opportunities for women in the green economy; promoting state certification programs.

• Overcoming societal issues – women don’t think they belong here / how do we change thinking an images in the workplace / support women to enter and succeed at nontraditional occupations.

• Crucial role that workplace flexibility and supports play in retaining women in the workplace.

• Set up supports to overcome workplace isolation.  Focus on retention strategies.  

• Green Jobs Act / ensuring women are not left behind.

• Focus on making the existing workforce development system stronger by advancing Building a green economy and advancing existing jobs with greener skill sets is a priority of the Doyle Administration – being greener as a state is a high priority.

• Trying to build an economy and make the environment better and safer for a new generation.

• Some jobs are new, but many what we have been doing – not unfamiliar occupations or skill sets.

• Many green jobs are middle-skill jobs -- jobs that require more education/training than a high school diploma, but not a 4 year degree.

• Growing green industries and making existing industries greener – this is the key.

• Many jobs can be accessed within the education and training systems we already have -- this is work we already know how to do.

• "Rather be clean that green" – many Americans want only clean jobs (don't want jobs where they have to get their hands dirty/bias against skilled trades jobs). 

• Wisconsin’s goal is to be the greenest manufacturing state / highest percentage of manufacturing workers.

• Opportunity: WI SAGE proposal – apprenticeships for energy.

• Opportunity:  WI RISE initiative - working with industry to identify "bite size" training and skills sets that lead to jobs and career pathways. 

• Opportunities in the environmental field – new awareness and improvements in how we use the land where we built power plants / remediation on former coal sites.

• Need better marketing about advantages of skilled trades and STEM jobs -- career ladders, earn while you learn opportunites, family supporting salaries, completion of an apprenticeship earns an associate degree.

• Need for people to work while developing skills – need for income on interim basis.  

• Schedule of courses and cost of education to meet with needs of working adults.

• Ensure industry, community-based organizations, education and training systems and public programs are all working together in identifying and delivering training/workforce development around green industries and occupations.

Article:  Women and "Green" Jobs 
by Alicia Abercrombie (UW-Madison Journalism student)

Special thanks to the following people who provide expertise and assisted in the planning and development of the Women, Jobs and Wisconsin's Green Economy Roundtable: Marge Anderson (Energy Center of Wisconsin); Randi Berth (WRTP/Big Step); Nancy Chen (Women's Bureau, USDOL); Charlie Daniels (Wisconsin Technical College System/WTCS); Lisa Furseth (Community Action, Inc); Nancy Nakkoul (MATC Madison);  Deborah Pascal (Women's Bureau, USDOL); JoAnna Richard (WI Dept. of Workforce Development); Mary Shlaefer (Midwest Renewabl Energy Association/MREA); Karen Showers (WTCS); Sarah White (Center on Wisconsin Strategy/COWS); Marge Wood (WTCS); and Judy Ziewacz (WI Office of Energy Independence).  Meeting space for the event was generously provided by the Wisconsin Technology Council.

Sponsored by the Wisconsin Women's Council and the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, under contract with the Women's Bureau, U.S. Department of Labor.