Job creation and finding new sources of renewable energy have been inextricably linked in recent months; green-sector growth is seen as vital to grow the economy and create new jobs. There appears to be a great deal of agreement on the need for alternative energy sources; however, there is also a great deal of work ahead for the U.S. in developing…

Career and technical education (CTE) carries a long-held image misconception--an outdated observation harbored by students, parents and the general public that CTE lacks academic rigor and only leads students to low-skill jobs. Despite these misconceptions, CTE is often a perfect option for many students to discover their passions, and to develop…

The construction industry has long been a leader in predicting economic prosperity and in responding to customers' needs. In the last few years, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has managed to assemble the only ANSI-approved standards for green construction in the nation. During this time and with an eye toward the future, NAHB and…

As community and technical colleges work to train workers for green-energy jobs, they face myriad challenges. Among them are the recession and the financial strain it places on institutions' ability to develop programs, trying to meet the demand for trained workers that is a projection and not a certainty, and training low-skilled individuals for…

Going solar is not an easy decision, but a long-term investment with a potentially substantial up-front cost. While some schools have enough capital in reserve, can raise bond money, or can solicit sufficient donations, many schools rely on creative financial programs to make a solar energy system economically feasible. Thinking about going solar…

As the workforce development arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and cluster leader for the Architecture and Construction career cluster, Home Builders Institute (HBI) has a vested interest in keeping America's elementary, middle and high school students excited and knowledgeable about what's new in residential construction.…

In Ohio's Licking County, the Career and Technology Education Centers (C-TEC) is a leader in the green movement. This eco-friendly school incorporates environmental sustainability in all aspects of its programming and is the first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-certified public building in the state. While eco-friendly…

"Where the wind comes sweepin' down the plain" is more than just a song lyric for Oklahoma's career and technical education community. It's the acknowledgement of an untapped natural resource that has the potential to translate into both energy independence for the country and jobs for the state. Statewide, technology center instructors…