Education key to going green for small businesses
by Scott Boyce
When consumers have more, and better, information on sustainability, small companies will be able to reap larger returns on its use.
Small businesses are the core of our nation’s economy. Consider these facts from the Small Business Administration: As of last fall, small businesses represented 99.7 percent of all firms; employed just over half of all private-sector employees; created more than half of non-farm private GDP and had generated 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years.
So why hasn’t the green economy and the related financial stimulus programs caused an economic boom around energy efficiency and renewable energy for these companies? Why haven’t the small businesses engaged the green economy or started motivating consumers to purchase green services and products? The answers lie in the adoption rate of education institutions to offer green work force training to businesses.
Proper work force training can help small businesses turn their practices green. In turn, small businesses can educate consumers and the community through sales and promotions of their products and services. The education must not be limited to the technical, environmental, or global aspect; it should be broad-reaching and tailored to distinct audiences. The question that needs to be addressed is, “How will the green economy fuel our national return to prosperity?”
Occasionally, over the course of our history, we Americans have reinvented ourselves, our economy and our outlooks. The American Revolution, the Industrial Revolution, the Civil Rights movement and the Internet Revolution are all prime examples. And now, it is time for another reinvention focused on job creation and economic development. If this effort were to be directed at the new green economy, all of us might have the opportunity to play an active role in ensuring the investments in the stimulus programs are spent wisely and in a way that creates economic prosperity.
Taking charge of the way that money is spent
Whether or not you support the federal stimulus programs, the fact is the money has been allocated and is being spent. Small businesses can play a big role in helping ensure that those tax dollars (our money) are used as intended, to create economic growth. They have the ability to turn these investments into sustainable industry sectors that can parlay the momentum initiated by the government and leave a legacy for our nation’s children instead of a burden.
The best way to accomplish this goal could take years to debate. But time is limited. The two-year spending spree of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 is half over, the nation’s unemployment rate is still flirting with the 10 percent mark, and some industry sectors such as housing construction are suffering from 40 percent unemployment. So now is the time for innovative actions that will provide an economic boost and help us to continue to lead the world economy.
So what do we do next? The answer is complex but attainable and education is the key.
The education needed should address not just emerging green occupations but green tasks, green products and green services that are modestly or sometimes largely different than what we know and use today. In addition, it should be customized and available to various sectors in our economy, including construction, manufacturing, healthcare and many others. It should be available to a variety of audiences in a variety of uses and at a variety of paces to address all of the existing needs.
Our personal, community-level and national prosperity are worth the effort. As Americans, we have often risen up to meet and overcome challenges, and our current economic state should be no different.
UCM, like a number of universities, has built and is building more education programs to meet the challenge. Some free programs are planned for the public; some will enhance knowledge, skills, and abilities; and will be delivered in person and online. Each is intended to serve the participants and the community at large by helping people understand how a green economy benefits them and how it can fuel our nation’s return to prosperity.
So whether you agree with the federal stimulus programs or not, it’s important that all Americans understand they have a stake in ensuring investments in “green” education programs and job opportunities are maximized. Would you like to become part of that charge? If so, we welcome the opportunity to hear from you and your engagement.
Scott Boyce is workforce representative for the University of Central Missouri's Workforce Central program.
P | 816.875.3927 x110
E | sboyce@ucmworkforcecentral.com