North American Environmental Commission Promoting Green Jobs with Renewable Energy Training Courses Web Directory

Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) working collaboratively with more than 60 renewable energy training institutions to support a greener North American economy

MONTREAL, Dec. 16 /PRNewswire/ - The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) is helping to advance training for green jobs in North America with the first trinational web-based directory, listing over 100 renewable energy training courses.

Searching for training and educational opportunities can be difficult and time-consuming, so the CEC's new web directory presents a comprehensive list of courses offered in Canada, Mexico and the United States for training in solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, bioenergy, and hydrogen and fuel cell industries.

Report Spurs Trinational Collaboration to Help Advance Green Jobs

A 2010 report, commissioned by the CEC, analyzed the state of renewable energy training in North America, identified opportunities for improvement, and made recommendations from a North American perspective (report: http://www.cec.org/Storage/94/9124_QA08.13-RE_Training_Resources_en.pdf).

The report found that a trinational collaborative system could help build and share best practices between Canada, Mexico and the United States. As a result, the CEC has launched a web-based information system to promote renewable energy training courses—see www.cec.org/energycourses.

"With investments in renewable energy and clean technology surging, it is important that we ramp-up training for the green jobs that will support a more sustainable economy in North America," said Evan Lloyd, CEC Executive Director.

United States Ahead of Canada and Mexico

The CEC report shows that of 235 courses identified, 83% are located in the United States, 14% in Canada and only 3% in Mexico. Regional challenges identified include green markets not yet sufficiently established for academic institutions to offer resources as well as a lack of qualified trainers.

Institutions providing green training identified in this report are predominantly colleges and universities (65%), followed by private companies (20%), and then associations related to renewable energy or trade unions (close to 10%).

About CEC

The Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) was established by Canada, Mexico and the United States to implement the North American Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, the environmental side accord to the North American Free Trade Agreement. The CEC supports cooperation among the NAFTA partners to address environmental issues of continental concern, including the environmental challenges and opportunities presented by continent-wide free trade.

SOURCE COMMISSION FOR ENVIRONMENTAL COOPERATION