The Green Collar Job Myth

U.S. News & World Report ^ | 8-27-2008 | James Pethokoukis

[Entrepreneur]

Jimmy P. at the DNC—Another staple of the many convention speeches is the claim that Obamanomics, via government "investment," will create five million "green collar" jobs. But here's the thing: These jobs are, for the most part, not the kind of gigs many middle class folks would have much interest in doing: bike repair, hazardous material cleanup, landscaping, tree cutting, attic insulation, large-scale green waste composting.

Then again, these jobs really aren't geared toward the middle class to begin with. A 2007 report by the city of Berkeley—of course!—described the potential pool of applicants for green collar jobs this way: "Youth and adults who do not have a high school degree, have been out of the labor market for a long time, were formerly incarcerated, have limited education and/or labor market skills." So basically we're are talking about matching low-skill folks with low-wage jobs. For the really high-paying green jobs, you have to look at the firms being created by entrepreneurs and financed by venture capital, with or without federal tax subsidies. But there's been no mention of that in Denver.

[Entrepreneur]

Why would we want to create jobs that would not exist based on market demand in isolation of government mandate or subsidy? Jobs that lack an economic raison d'être are nothing more than FDR style make-work jobs that divert people from learning real skills and finding substantive employment that adds value to the world.

[JRandomFreeper]

Don't know, but a research contract on "Green" technology is paying my bills right now. And will, until the checks run out. Does that make me a 'green-collar worker"?

/johnny

[Vigilanteman]

Jobs that lack an economic raison d'être are nothing more than FDR style make-work jobs that divert people from learning real skills and finding substantive employment that adds value to the world.

Now your getting personal with about 80% of the non-military government workforce.

[Beagle8U]

“And will, until the checks run out. Does that make me a ‘green-collar worker”?”

Is your research grant taxpayer funded? If it is its just a welfare program IMO.

[JRandomFreeper]

Nope, private company.

/johnny

[Realism]

These jobs are, for the most part, not the kind of gigs many middle class folks would have much interest in doing: bike repair, hazardous material cleanup, landscaping, tree cutting, attic insulation, large-scale green waste composting.

Unbelievable.... Oh don't forget tree hugger, professional protester, engineers, architects, designers, consultants, installers (electricians, plumbers), inspectors, farmers, lawyers, educators...............................

[rockinqsranch]

“”Youth and adults who do not have a high school degree, have been out of the labor market for a long time, were formerly incarcerated, have limited education and/or labor market skills.” So basically we’re are talking about matching low-skill folks with low-wage jobs.”

Oh Geeeeezz...the elitist Socialist description of haughty benevolence. Gifts of “Green Jobs” for the hapless to be doled at direction of some carefully fabricated guideline which of course will eliminate the welcome for any with aspirations. It’s called “create a pool” consisting of the grateful brain dead. A pool of, a base if you will of loyal dumbed down voters.

[Mogger]

Chairman Mao did something somewhat like this.

He emptied the universities and cities of the intellectuals and put them to work hauling night soil (human manure) at gunpoint.

Maybe he was on to something.

[usurper]

The jobs they are referring to are regulatory in nature.

Like having to hire an environmental specialists to complete the mountains of paperwork for the various environmental assessments that have to be completed before you can move a piece of dirt.

The Dems create these jobs through over regulation and legislation designed to force businesses to either hire their own specialists or subcontract the work.

It’s a job program to collage grads who’s envoi degrees would qualify them either for unemployment or flipping burgers.

Somewhat like (some) lawyers they produce nothing but extraneous and copious amounts of BS paperwork. They have the death of many forests on their hands.