Training & Workforce
Align training opportunities with near-term needs and build equity through implementation
Better urban water management holds great promise to both increase environmental sustainability and economic equity. Building and maintaining green stormwater infrastructure and other resilient infrastructure requires developing a new labor sector. If done properly, this holds great promise for building equity and economic opportunity. To capitalize on that promise, it’s essential to connect skilled people with needed roles in the industry through coordinated workforce development efforts.
Background
"We’ve got to train people to maintain the right things, but this work is still evolving, so the most important skill to train for is problem-solving."
– Summit Participant
"We need to build a stronger workforce from within.”
– Steven Giang, Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans
Insights & Opportunities
Existing landscaping and grounds crews are already engaging with and maintaining green stormwater infrastructure, often with limited training and preparation.
Supporting the upward mobility of existing employees in many institutions that are beginning to embrace living with water can have a powerful impact on furthering equity.
Beyond instilling a problem-solving mindset and approach, there is a general lack of clarity into which skills and specific knowledge is most valuable to currently focus on in training programs.
There is much to learn from disadvantaged business enterprise programs and requirements regarding the role public contracting and incentives can play in promoting green infrastructure.
Even when using consultants to add green infrastructure expertise and capacity, the client must have some working knowledge and skills to effectively leverage consultant support.
Expand training opportunities for existing workforces, especially in construction and maintenance, with a focus on creating upward mobility in the emerging green infrastructure sector. Embrace the wide range of positions and perspectives—from laborer to engineer to CEO to elected official—that will need some level of familiarity with green infrastructure to ensure continued momentum.
Create a green infrastructure and construction sector partnership that brings together employers, trainers, and other interested parties to consistently align workforce and trainings needs while maintaining a clearinghouse of current opportunities and certificates available.
Update policies to require or incentivize appropriate certifications for businesses and individuals (i.e., give priority to bids for public green stormwater projects from firms that have a National Green Infrastructure Certificate.)
Embed a workforce development component into all major infrastructure funding applications.
Example Projects
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Dillard University Urban Water Management Certificate Program
Dillard’s Urban Water Management Certificate presents a unique opportunity for students to address the critical need for water management in municipalities throughout the world. The certificate opens students up to high-paying careers in water resource, water works, waste water treatment and more. The program trains students for jobs in government agencies and private industry .
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Economic Opportunity through Green Infrastructure: Equitable Access to Job and Contracts in Greater New Orleans
This report was commissioned by the Greater New Orleans Foundation and Kresge Foundation in 2020 to study connections between the emerging green infrastructure economy and historically underserved and underemployed communities.
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Groundwork New Orleans
Groundwork New Orleans works to bring about the sustained regeneration, improvement and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships that empower people, businesses and organizations to promote environmental, economic and social well-being.
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Louisiana Green Corps (LAGC)
Louisiana Green Corps (LAGC) offers construction, green infrastructure and conservation job training programs for individuals 18 and up who are not engaged in work or school and looking to grow their career. LAGC provides career building opportunities to those aspiring to improve their lives and the community. We strive to be a social, environmental and economic change agent for the region.
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Thrive New Orleans
Thrive New Orleans is committed to racial equity by advancing new systems for economic opportunity, climate resiliency, and community stability. Thrive provides business development, workforce training, youth and family programs, and direct aid for those in need across New Orleans.
