GREEN JOBS FOR NJ: A SUSTAINABLE CAREER TRACK INITIATIVE

As people are seeking ways to become more socially, economically, and environmentally sustainable, the New Jersey Department of Education’s Office of Career and Technical Education recognized with notable foresight that Career and Technical (CTE) High Schools can provide a viable venue for introducing students to the new technologies and sectors that will lead to a more sustainable future.  Subsequently, NJ DOE provided funding to The Municipal Land Use Center at The College of NJ (MLUC@TCNJ) to develop a Sustainable Career Track Initiative for career and technical high schools.

Sustainability is defined as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” (U.N.’s Brundtland Commission).  The purpose of Green Jobs for NJ: a Sustainable Career Track Initiative is to develop a draft framework for incorporating Education for Sustainability (EfS) into career and technical education.  By assisting Career and Technical and comprehensive high schools to incorporate sustainability literacy into their educational programs, and identifying opportunities to provide students with experiential learning in green collar jobs and sectors, Green Jobs for NJ will prepare students for “green” jobs which are expected to improve the NJ economy by providing social, economic and environmental sustainability.  Click here for MLUC's frequently asked questions about Green Jobs.

In fall, 2008, Essex County Vocational Technical Schools will be offering an “Introduction to Sustainability” course to its ninth graders, and this summer, students from Mercer County will have the opportunity to participate in a pilot program at Mercer County Technical Schools’ Sypek Center.  The “Summer Sustainability Institute” will introduce them to some of the basic components of organic agriculture, recycling, and green building.  It is anticipated that the success of these two pioneering efforts will promote adoption by more schools and spread the word about sustainability education throughout the state.

By providing training and support for faculty, administration and staff as they adapt and develop curricula that will support education for sustainability Green Jobs for NJ will develop and model Best Practices in EfS.  Project Manager, Winnie Fatton, put it this way, “Creating partnerships between schools, business, non-profit and government sectors is a primary goal of Green Jobs for NJ: A Sustainable Career Track Initiative.  Schools will provide the means of educating the students, but the larger community must help by identifying their workforce development needs and providing students with mentors, job shadowing opportunities and internships and apprenticeships.  We need a strong network of project partners to help us to achieve our goal of education and green jobs for a strong future, not just for NJ students, but for all students.”

If you’d like to learn more – or get involved, please contact Winnie Fatton, Project Manager, fatton@tcnj.edu or 609-771-2855 or visit their website at http://www.tcnj.edu/~mluc/< /a>.