green jobs by thevancouveriteIn August Greenpeace released its South African Energy Sector Jobs to 2030 report. This report presents an analysis of the energy sector job creation associated with the three energy scenarios up to 2030: the Energy [R]evolution (by Greenpeace), the IEA Reference case, and the Growth Without Constraints scenario presented by government. Their Energy [R]evolution scenario could be a major employment creator in South Africa, with a net increase of 78,000 jobs by 2030.

This is slightly more than even the Growth Without Constraints scenario, our current trajectory, which sees energy sector employment increase by 71,000, and considerably more than the IEA Reference case, which has an estimated growth of 46,000. Either way you look at the figures, growth within the green sector is going to be massive. For many of the sorts of jobs they are referring to, you need to receive specialised training, but there are also many new positions being created that do not require expensive training. In our own homes we can make a difference by changing the way we go through our day to day lives. Insynch Sustainable Technologies offer a practical course that will show you how to make your home more sustainable.

Many positions are also being created within existing businesses. One of the most important aspects of getting the green revolution going is educating people, they need to be educated within the current business models, so that they can change the system from within. Many companies are trying to go green and several big corporates such as Sanlam have created the position of Sustainability Officer to oversee the day to day greening of the company.

There are now several sustainability training courses available in South Africa. The Global Carbon Exchange have done some research and compiled a list of the various courses on offer in South Africa – as well as their own.

The different courses can be broken down into various categories.

Management training: these courses are aimed at business owners and executives, and provide the kind of information that you need to know about policy; how your business impacts on the environment and how to set it on the sustainability path. Nedbank in partnership with Business Day offers an online course (developed by GreenEdge) that will provide you with the basic information you need to help make your business sustainable. Other great courses are offered by Energy Cybernetics and IMBEWU, which offers great courses on the legal aspects of going green.

Creating a sustainable business does not only happen from the top, everyone within your organisation needs to take part, therefore all employees need to have some basic sustainability training. icologie provides a great general introduction for all your employees in the basics of sustainability, why it matters and how to implement it in the workplace. Similar courses are also provided by Green Gain Consulting and the Global Carbon Exchange.

For those of you who are thinking about a change in career, there are many opportunities opening up in the fields of sustainability and renewable energy. Energy Cybernetics offers courses in energy auditing, or learn how to be a carbon reduction manager. One of the key aspects of a sustainable business is knowing its carbon footprint and this has led to another growing field within the green industry - calculating carbon footprints. You can become a Carbon Footprint Analyst by taking a course with Global Carbon Exchange.

Then there are the many different specialised jobs within the renewable energy field. Global Carbon Exchange offers a course in eco auditing, and if you fancy becoming a green business consultant, then you can take a course offered by the Green Business League. Of course if you want to become a wind power engineer or conduct Environmental Impact Assessments then you will need to go and obtain the relevant degrees. There are some relevant courses offered by the University of Stellenbosch and the University of Cape Town and Rhodes University.

With thanks to Timea of GCX, and Dax