Unlike the many short-term considerations that influence the workplace, the need for people who understand sustainability issues, and who have the skills and attitudes to contribute to solutions, is not going to go away any time soon.
Global trends suggest that government and, increasingly, private spending will prioritise green jobs, leading to a greener economy. The International Labour Organisation reports that in the European Community and the United States more jobs are becoming available in areas such as organic farming, sustainable forestry, renewable energy, water supply, retrofitting, resource recovery, and environmental tourism.
Increasingly, developers of major new buildings in New Zealand cities are asking their architects to design green buildings. Whether they are driven by personal values or demand for green office space makes little difference.
Workers will be needed in new green industries, in traditional green collar jobs (conservation, environmental management, sustainable urban planning and research), and in agriculture and horticulture, environmental law, medicine, engineering, design, architecture, and accounting.
An understanding of sustainability will be an advantage in any career, as well as enabling the individual to contribute to a sustainable future.
NZ Curriculum Online includes information about pathways on its Education for Sustainability page.
Some examples of green careers and possible training:
Open space planner for a city council (parks planning in cities): Bachelor of Planning or Master of Planning, University of Auckland.
Sustainable transport co-ordinator for a council: BSc or BA majoring in environmental studies, Victoria University.
Fisheries officer: Bachelor of Applied Science (Biodiversity Management), Unitec.
Public health officer: Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Studies), AUT.
Park ranger: National Certificate in Conservation (Trainee Ranger), Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (one year).
Resource management adviser: Diploma in Environmental Management / Bachelor of Recreation Management, Bay of Plenty Polytechnic (two years) / Lincoln University.
Environmental lawyer: Bachelor of Law and Master of Law (Environmental), University of Auckland (four years for LLB and one year for MLB).
Last updated April 15, 2021