Green energy jobs are going to become increasingly common, as the renewable energy market takes an ever increasing share of the overall energy needs of industry and residential areas. The use of fossil fuels is unsustainable in the long term, so it is essential that research is carried out into alternatives which will allow the quality of life in the Western world to be maintained and then improved. Many of the jobs which are currently available are in the area of research, as there is still relatively little commercial development of renewable energy.
There are obviously going to be some jobs in the manufacturing sector, as the technologies which are developed need to be brought into the real world and given life. As of now, these opportunities are few and far between, and you may need to be prepared to relocate to another part of the country to work in this industry. Manufacturing jobs obviously need a high degree of technical competence, but there is not usually a requirement for a university degree or any high level of formal education. If you have experience in other manufacturing industries, such as the manufacture of vehicles, that will be useful to you.
Some of the jobs which are available in the renewable energy sector are similar to construction work, and will be a good career move for those experienced in this type of work. Wind turbines need to be constructed in a similar way to buildings and other permanent installations, with a strong enough foundation to withstand any of the possible weather conditions. As many wind farms are deliberately constructed in areas which experience high wind levels and volatile weather conditions, it is obviously necessary for them to be constructed and mounted to withstand severe climates.
Most of the prestigious green energy jobs are in the area of research, as this is still where the focus of this industry needs to be. We are still a long way from the stage where renewable energy is ready to take over the entire electricity generation needs of a nation, and much needs to be done before this can become a possibility. Some exciting developments are occurring, such as the latest development of a solar panel which can capture over twice as much sunlight as the panels which are currently in use. There are many research projects which will need dedicated workers for a long time to come.
To work at this level, you will obviously need a degree level qualification. This can be obtained in many different ways, both through college campus programs or online study. You will need to carry out extensive research in the jobs market before attempting to choose a course, as employers can afford to be fussy about their requirements. Once you know what is being demanded by the type of organizations you want to work for, you can then begin the process of trying to find the right courses to take you to your goal.
Many of the courses which can lead to green energy jobs are offered through online study, and this provides the opportunity for anyone to study part time while they continue to earn in their present career. This has been the traditional barrier to entry to a new career for many mature students, but to has now been broken down by the introduction of online courses. Many of these courses are offered by the same colleges which offer the campus programs. If you are the right type of person to succeed in as research career, you are probably also suited to the home study which will prepare you for green energy jobs.