(ARA) – If you’re torn between your concern for the environment and your need to make a living, good news is on the horizon. Rising demand for environmentally friendly alternatives for fossil fuels is opening up new career opportunities for professionals in a variety of fields.
Growing environmental concern and limited fossil fuel supplies are driving the growth of domestic and international markets for renewable energy systems, the U.S. Department of Energy reports. Rising demand for cleaner energy directly affects career opportunities in industries related to renewable resources.
“The 2008 economic forecast suggests that one of the newest, fastest growing markets for jobs will be alternative energy,” says Sheryl Decker, director of career services at Brown Mackie College – South Bend, Ind. Decker recently attended a business outlook panel presented by Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business. “Growth opportunities appear in companies that are exploring the use of wind, solar, geothermal, hydropower and bioenergy power technologies.”
Millions of professionals already work in alternative energy industries, yet more are needed, including:
* chemists
* engineers
* sales and marketing professionals
* administrators
* managers
* clerical workers
* human resources
* information technology
* business
* finance
* law
“Professionals who are already in the workforce, and students seeking to enter into a green career, can prepare with a number of degree programs and continuing education courses,” Decker says. “Many different types of skills can be applied to these upcoming industries.”
“Alternative energy companies are seeking professionals to fill a wide variety of positions, including mechanical engineer, project manager, programmer analyst, IT sourcing specialist, administrative assistant and marketing director,” she says.
”Business Week” magazine reports that a growing number of professionals are moving to jobs in renewable energy fields to promote their own personal environmental concerns. While some intend to transfer existing skills to a different industry, others are making a mid-life career change simply to become part of the solution for the many environmental issues we face today.
The rising cost of oil is proving to be a catalyst for the further development of alternative energy sources. While substantial growth is happening now, Decker points out that many people don’t yet realize the opportunities it affords.
“People tend to overlook many untapped markets and job opportunities in their local employment arenas,” she says. “Networking can be an effective way to gauge the hiring needs in your area. I encourage everyone to join industry-specific organizations, volunteer in community activities, and become involved with the Chamber of Commerce. By becoming involved in the community and networking, you will see new doors opening with different job opportunities.”
To learn more about career training opportunities in alternative energy, and how to prepare for working in this quickly growing business sector, visit www.brownmackie.edu.
GARNER, N.C. – Each year the Triangle Business Journal bestows its SPACE Awards to the business leaders behind the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill region’s most prominent economic development projects, innovative commercial real estate developments, and largest commercial real estate transactions. This year’s Economic Development Award for New Industry was presented jointly to the Town of Garner and Butterball, LLC in recognition of the impending relocation of the company’s corporate headquarters from Mt. Olive, N.C. to Garner.
At a special awards ceremony held Jan. 31 at the North Ridge Country Club in Raleigh, Garner Mayor Ronnie Williams and Alice Johnson, Butterball’s vice president of food safety, government regulation and public affairs, accepted the award for the joint effort. Staff from the Garner Chamber of Commerce were also in attendance at the ceremony.
“For the panel of judges to choose the Butterball deal as the most significant in the entire Triangle region is incredible,” said Chamber President Neal Padgett. “It reinforced that the Butterball move is huge for Garner.”
In August 2007 officials broke ground in Garner’s Greenfield North business park on a $12 million, 71,400-square-foot facility that will eventually house Butterball’s corporate headquarters. The new headquarters will include executive offices as well as a state-of-the-art kitchen that will be used to educate retailers on the versatility of turkey meat. Butterball is the largest producer of turkeys in the United States, with sales of approximately $1.4 billion in 2007.
The town provided $180,000 in incentives for the relocation, and the deal is expected to bring around 150 corporate Butterball employees to Garner. Williams, Town Manager Hardin Watkins and Assistant Town Manager Rodney Dickerson negotiated the package on behalf of the town.
For more information, contact the Garner Chamber of Commerce at (919) 772-6440.
About the Garner Chamber of Commerce
The Garner Chamber of Commerce is an active organization made up of nearly 600 businesses and community groups. For more than 40 years the Garner Chamber has worked to advance Garner’s economic vitality and enhance the area’s quality of life. For more information, visit www.garnerchamber.com, call (919) 772-6440 or e-mail info@garnerchamber.com
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
APEX, NC – Dancing Elephants Achievement Group (DEAG), a sales training firm dedicated to teaching ethical selling, and the Apex Chamber of Commerce have partnered to provide a series of educational seminars to the community under the name of “Apex Chamber’s Business Summit Series at Noon.”
“The Chambers play a vital role in the economic development of the community and are instrumental in helping local businesses to thrive. We feel very strongly that it is important for businesses to belong to local chambers,” said Tim Moore, principal of Dancing Elephants Achievement Group. “We’re excited to be able to participate in this Business Summit Series with the Apex Chamber. The seminars will help members of any Chamber to better understand how to utilize their membership and grow their businesses successfully with the help of their local Chamber.”
The first seminar in the series is called “Formula For Chamber Success” and will be held on Feb. 20, 2008 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Carrabba’s located at 1201 Haddon Hall Drive in Apex.
“One of our goals for 2008 was to provide more for our members,” said Brenda Steen, president of Apex Chamber. “We are thrilled to be able to offer our members the talent and expertise of Dancing Elephants, not only are they extremely qualified, but they are such good people. I know without a shadow of a doubt that our members will walk away from these events having learned something valuable. ”
About Apex Chamber:
The Apex Chamber of Commerce is working to build and sustain a vibrant economy and a superior quality of life in our community. Founded in 1958, the Chamber has an engaged operating group, motivated volunteers and a dedicated professional staff poised to implement progressive programs that aid in the profitability of its members, build a better community, develop future leaders and enhance small business development and growth.
Located at 220 North Salem Street, the Apex Chamber of Commerce currently boasts a membership of over 540 area businesses. To learn more about the Chamber and its activities in the community visit www.apexchamber.com or call (919) 362-6456.
Read More:CarolinaNewsWire
