In 2008 the CSIRO released Growing The Green Collar Economy, a report that investigates the skills, innovation and workforce dimensions of the transition to a more environmentally sustainable society. The report predicted that by 2013 over three million people would need to be skilled up for the “green sector”.
Universities around Australia have taken notice and offer an ever-increasing amount of “green” courses, tailored to prepare students for the rapidly growing green collar sector. Green jobs can range from studying the science of climate change, to renewable energy and finding ways of making our industries more sustainable. Courses available inlucde a Diploma of Sustainability, a Master of Business (Sustainability) from the University of Queensland, to a Bachelor of Environmental Science at Charles Sturt University.
Billi Hayes, who is enrolled in the recently offered Masters of Sustainability course at the University of Sydney, spoke to Dave Drayton about the course and the career prospects it provides.
Dave: Why did you select the course?
Billi: After completing my design degree I wanted to incorporate sustainability and design and understand more about the life cycle of materials. I felt that if I was going to design and make something it has to be sustainable.
I selected the Masters of Sustainability program at the University of Sydney because it is the first year that it is starting and I wanted to be enrolled in an academic degree that was current and up to scratch on the issues facing us with our climate. This particular masters goes into detail from a science perspective, which is what I was drawn to.
Dave: What does the course involve?
Billi: The course will cover the complex political, social and environmental issues. It teaches us how to consult the issue as well as provide us with problem solving techniques involving material life cycle analysis, policy and other expert knowledge.
Dave: What job are you hoping to get once you complete the course?
Billi: I am hoping to become a sustainable consultant either on a government level or be involved in sustainable building and design practices and standards.
Dave: Why are degrees with a focus on sustainability important?
Billi: I think that it is crucial, especially when doing innovative programs such as design, building and architecture. We need to start to tackle the problem urgently and what better way to do it than to teach the eager and hungry-for-knowledge students, that want to make a difference in the world.
Dave: Do you think “green” degrees such as the one you are about to begin will become more popular in coming years?
Billi: Definitely, not only is it fascinating but we need to be concerned for our children and generations to come. Today, people can't get away with not understanding what the term "sustainability" means. We should all learn about what we can do to help and pass on the knowledge.