Just as the technology boom led to one of the largest periods of economic expansion in the nation’s history, alternative energy, or green, jobs will not only employ a countless number of Texans, but will help to drive and grow the Texas economy. As the state that has long been considered to energy capital of the United States, Texas is well positioned to maintain this leadership role as the green transition occurs. Rich in the resources necessary to lead – a surplus of wind, sunshine, and well trained and strategically located workers – the state’s economy should find growth in this arena.
Wide Spread Employment Potential
Green jobs offer growth potential across the education spectrum, making it an industry that can integrate a workforce. Requiring a workforce as capable of making technological breakthroughs and accomplishing feats of engineering design as installing solar panels and providing support services, alternative energy is a comprehensive industry. Due to this diversity of skill levels, the industry is ideal to appeal to various levels of Texans. Unlike certain highly specialized industries that will only be able to absorb a limited number of highly skilled workers, the variety here is significant.
Already able to claim the second highest number of green energy jobs in the nation, if Texas is able to provide targeted and affordable training (particularly at the lower end of the earning spectrum), there is little reason the state cannot become the clear leader. Texas can leverage its existing infrastructure to expand various programs and rocket ahead. The state’s vast resources should be targeted to achieve this goal, given the huge and important impact it will have on the Texas workforce.
Growth in the Texas Economy
The single most direct way to stimulate a state’s economy is to reduce unemployment. Not only does a projected rise in alternative energy help to curb unemployment by offering quality jobs to able Texans, it increases the state’s production. As each of these factors becomes more significant, the state’s economy will be well positioned to experience significant growth. Reduced unemployment means that not only will the state need to spend less, more consumer dollars will be channeled into the economy to stimulate increased growth. Increased production also benefits the state economy by attractive capital investment from outside of the state and providing additional infrastructure upon which to rely. Green jobs will employ countless numbers of Texans and, in turn, help to grow the economy.