Building a work force: for the new-energy economy: public and private schools are preparing workers for green jobs in the trades and management.

• Author: Caley, Nora
• Position: PLANTE-PROFIT REPORT

Andrew Andersen had two things going for him when he decided to make a career change. He was interested in green building technology, and he was working in road construction for a large contractor. [paragraph] When Andersen started doing Internet searches for solar programs, he found that Red Rocks Community College would let him transfer some of his credits from Colorado State University, from which he had earned a degree in construction management.

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So he enrolled at RRCC, completed 22 credits in one semester, received a Solar Photo Voltaic Designer certificate and was soon hired as a project manager for a solar integrator company. "Getting the crash course in solar got my foot in the door," he says. "It worked out well."

Many workers either want to make a change before they are forced to or have to come up with a Plan B because their old career ended. For some, the new-energy economy looks attractive. Area public and private schools are preparing workers for these green jobs, launching everything from weeks-long programs for manufacturers and installers to professional programs for executives.

Colorado had 14,393 clean jobs in 1998, according to "The Clean Energy Economy," a 2009 report by the Pew Charitable Trusts. That number grew nearly 2 percent a year and reached 17,008 clean jobs by 2007. That was higher than the national average of 15,106 clean jobs per state.

The Colorado Cleantech Industry Association estimated the state has added 5,000 more clean energy jobs since 2007, as reported in the group's "Colorado Cleantech Action Plan" released in October.

Community college representatives say many of the jobs are for entry-level skilled trades workers.

Red Rocks Community College offers certificates and associate's degrees in solar photovoltaic, solar thermal (water heating), and wind technology. Joan W. Smith, dean of the energy and environmental technology program at Red Rocks Community College, says some of the students are laid-off finance people, but most are electricians, construction workers and other tradespeople who want to move into solar installation jobs.

The fastest-growing program at RRCC is the energy efficiency weatherization certificate. "The easiest way to really make a difference is to look at energy we do not use in the first place," Smith says. By sealing their structures, businesses can save energy, save money, and then use that money to hire staff. Smith says one...