Building the Workforce of Today and Tomorrow: A Local Government Guide to the Chesapeake Bay

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By developing our capacity to train and support green jobs, we can prepare our communities to thrive in the face of coming challenges.

[Shot of a man wearing a work vest and protective ear coverings, reviewing documents on a clipboard.]

Green jobs are those that benefit the environment or make businesses more environmentally friendly.

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The green economy in the US is estimated to be worth $1.3 trillion annually, employing nearly 9.5 million workers.

[Shot of a construction worker in a work coat and hardhat laying rebar.]

Nationally, there are approximately 7.6 million jobs in the outdoor recreation economy.

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Green infrastructure requires many skills to implement and maintain.

[Shot of someone in a workshop, pointing to something on a laptop computer screen for his colleague to see.]

Green construction uses processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient when erecting buildings.

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In the United States, clean energy jobs outnumbered total fossil fuel employment by more than 3 to 1 in 2019.

[Shot of wind turbines spinning at sunset; shot of a worker walking on top of a building covered with solar panels.]

A diverse workforce allows communities to thrive in key areas: innovation, adaptability, and connection.

[Shot of workers in hard hats high up in a tree; shot of office workers collaborating in a conference room.]

K-12 education and targeted training programs are essential in developing a workforce tied to the green economy.

[Shot of an adult helping a child drive a support stake for a newly planted tree into the ground.]

Local government training opportunities for the current workforce can prepare them and business for the future.

[Shot of a man wearing a work vest and hard hat, using a tablet while standing beneath a spinning wind turbine.]

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There are many existing green jobs programs around the watershed that are examples of what you can do in your community. Visit ProtectLocalWaterways.org to learn more.