Succeeding in the Green Economy – Skills Matter
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Nov 14, 2010 12:00 PM
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Succeeding in the Green Economy – Skills Matter
Dec 07, 2010 11:50 AM
Demystifying the enigma of the "green economy" were some of the most prolific figures in innovation, technology and policy-making at swissnex Boston’s "International Workshop on Workforce Development for the Green Economy: Skills Matter". The event took place on November 12, 2010. It was split into interactive breakout sessions at swissnex Boston and a riveting keynote at the Cambridge Public Library by Dr. Glenn Cummings, former US Department of Education Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Vocational and Adult Education.
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The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany and co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and the New England Clean Energy Council. Among the many speakers and moderators Ueli Bernhard (greenjobs) and Florin Mueller (Swiss Federal Office for Professional Education and Technology) from Switzerland as well as Pia Spangenberger (Science Shop Bonn) and Uwe Geiling (Renewable Energy Training Center) from Germany joined us for this workshop and shared with us the long standing tradition of the dual track vocational education system in their countries.
By the end of the event, it was clear that more opportunities for applied research were needed for green technology to develop. It was also noted that, while the list of "green" sectors was growing, there was ambiguity as to whether job roles and requirements were changing, too. Additionally, speakers suggested that education was key, including a renewed emphasis on professional education, foreign exchanges and internships.
