Making a Living, Sustainably

Green Jobs and Sustainability Careers

Why are green jobs and sustainability careers

important?
Our world is facing global climate change, energy issues, food and water shortages,
growing populations, increasing pollution and waste, emerging diseases, and an
uncertain economy. The threats to our planet may seem daunting, but we can all take
action by making sustainable choices in our daily lives and in our jobs.
No matter where you start
your career in Manitoba, youll
probably be working to make
this province one of the most
sustainable places to live on
earth (Manitoba Conservation
and Water Stewardship,
Tomorrow Now 4).

Green jobs and sustainability careers, with their

emphasis on renewable energy, reduction of
greenhouse gas emissions, improved conservation of
natural resources, increased awareness of biodiversity,
and heightened social consciousness, among other
goals, contribute to a more equitable and sustainable
world. We need people who are trained to think about
how to protect and repair our social, economic, and
environmental systems. We need to develop a workforce
that can fill the new and existing jobs required for a
sustainable future.

This educational resource for students and educators was produced by Manitoba Education,
in partnership with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD), to help
youth in Manitoba explore sustainability career options and practices and prepare to live
and work for a more sustainable future.

Manitoba Education Cataloguing in Publication Data

Making a living, sustainably [electronic resource] : green jobs
and sustainability careers
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN: 978-0-7711-5381-5
1. Environmental protectionVocational guidance.
2. Green movementVocational guidance.
3. OccupationsEnvironmental aspects.
4. Environmental protectionVocational guidanceManitoba.
5. Environmental sciencesVocational guidanceManitoba.
6. Green movementVocational guidanceManitoba.
I. Manitoba. Manitoba Education.
363.70023
Copyright 2012, the Government of Manitoba, represented
by the Minister of Education.
Manitoba Education
School Programs Division
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

Every effort has been made to acknowledge original sources and

to comply with copyright law. If cases are identified where this
has not been done, please notify Manitoba Education. Errors or
omissions will be corrected in a future edition. Sincere thanks
to the authors, artists, and publishers who allowed their original
material to be used.
All images found in this document are copyright protected and
should not be extracted, accessed, or reproduced for any purpose
other than for their intended educational use in this document.
Any websites referenced in this document are subject to change.
Educators are advised to preview and evaluate websites and online
resources before recommending them for student use.
This resource is available on the Manitoba Education website at
<www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/esd/resources.html>.
Available in alternate formats upon request.

Workforce needs and opportunities are

changing in a wide range of sectors
Employment patterns are changing. According to Environmental
Careers Organization (ECO) Canada, the demand for employees with
environment-related skills and knowledge continues to grow across a
wide range of labour market sectors
(The Green Jobs Map 5). Employment
opportunities are opening up in
Green jobs can
traditional sectors such as agriculture,
contribute directly or indirectly to the
construction, manufacturing,
well-being of the planet
hospitality, and financial services where
actions need to become more socially
be found in a wide variety of sectors and
occupations
responsible and environmentally
friendly. Jobs are also being created
be both technically and non-technically
in new industries that focus directly
oriented
on environmental technologies,
require a combination of skills and
renewable energy systems, pollution
knowledge
control and remediation, and other
types of green services.

Green Jobs
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) defines green jobs
as work in agriculture, manufacturing, research and development, [and]
administrative and service activities that contribute substantially to
preserving or restoring environmental quality (Green Jobs 3).
Most green jobs are not new jobs, but rather, are based on existing
occupations that become, in a sense, greener as they build environmental
skills and tasks into their everyday duties. This includes jobs that directly
or indirectly help to protect ecosystems and biodiversity; reduce energy,
materials, and water consumption through high-efficiency strategies;
de-carbonize the economy; and minimize or altogether avoid waste and
pollution (UNEP, Green Jobs 3).

Manitoba youth can

help build a green
economy at home and
around the world
The Manitoba government has launched an
eight-year strategic action plan to ensure a
prosperous and environmentally conscious
economy. Tomorrow Now: Manitobas Green
Plan highlights the importance of instilling
green skills, knowledge, and values in young
people, the workforce of the future, thereby
enabling Manitoba youth to make this
province one of the most sustainable places
to live on earth (Manitoba Conservation
and Water Stewardship 4). As global
citizens, Manitoba youth can also take their
sustainability skills and knowledge wherever
they go, making a difference at home and in
every corner of the world.
Sustainability at Work
Every person, in every job or
business, can contribute to
sustainability practices by
supporting local charities or
awareness-raising campaigns,
such as EcoChallenge or Earth
Day, by initiating composting
and recycling programs, and by
promoting more sustainable
commuting practices.

Every job can contribute to

sustainability

Every job and every career can have a green or

sustainability element to it. Young people can bring
to their work their knowledge and attitudes about
sustainable development, along with their actions. If, in
their daily work, young people are making decisions that
consider social and environmental outcomes as well as economic ones, they are making a
contribution to a better quality of life, for themselves, their co-workers, their employers, or
investors. Integration of sustainable development into education and training at all levels,
starting from early childhood education, is essential to every job becoming greener.

Making a living, sustainably, requires key

attributes
Green jobs and sustainability careers require not only academic and technical credentials, but
also a mindset and a skill set that can be applied across all fields of endeavour. Young people
working in sustainable development have identified certain values and aptitudes and general
skills and abilities, such as the following, that they consider to be necessary for making a
living, sustainably, and for ensuring a sustainable future (Timmer, Creech, and Buckler).
Employers are increasingly seeking employees with these attributes.

Values and Aptitudes

Global mindset
Rootedness in community
Concern for equity and human
rights
Respect for diversity
Sense of urgency
Capacity for innovation and
new ideas
Integrated thinking
Respect for science as part of
the solution
Personal commitment to a
sustainable lifestyle

Skills and Abilities

Bridging and combining

disciplines and skills
Planning with a long-term
outlook
Communicating and
networking
Managing people and projects
Implementing financial
planning (preparing budgets,
monitoring costs)
Dealing with uncertainty and
unpredictability
Applying a systems approach
Translating complex ideas

Manitobans are choosing green careers in

various sectors
Many people in Manitoba are already working in green jobs and sustainability careers.

Job Profiles
The individuals profiled below describe their jobs and the education requirements for
those jobs and share tips for students considering a sustainability career.

Winnipeg City
Naturalist

Self-Employed
Drywall Installer

My typical job duties include habitat restoration, project

management, providing expert advice on issues related to natural
areas, and developing management plans for natural areas. A
high school student considering a career in this line of work might
have strong marks or an interest in botany, ecology, biology,
urban planning, or management, and then complete a Bachelor
of Science degree in ecology, zoology, botany, forestry, or natural
resource management. It would be a good idea to begin by
volunteering in nature-related activities, and take summer jobs
in the environment or landscaping industry when possible. A
student could study biology in high school and aim to spend four
years or more at university.

My typical job duties include installation of insulation for

soundproofing and/or heat retention, installation of vapour
barrier, and installation of drywall/gypsumboard. I chose this
line of work because installing insulation and vapour barrier
correctly is the most important element to keeping houses
energy efficient. Were also now increasingly required to find
sustainable products, use recycling facilities where available,
and find builders committed to Leadership in Energy and
Environmental Design (LEED) building standards. A high school
student considering a career in this line of work would need a
high school diploma and might be interested in mathematics
courses with practical hands-on applications, such as carpentry.
Other relevant training includes journeyperson construction and
safety training. Finding a company with a conscience is key, as
well as keeping an open mind to new ideas and concepts.

My typical job duties include assessing the environmental

impacts of planned hydroelectric developments, working with
First Nations community members on various environmental
studies, reviewing and approving work plans and budgets for
environmental studies, and working with engineers to design
projects in a way that minimizes environmental effects. A high
school student considering a career in this line of work might
have interests in biology, environmental science, or social
studies, and then seek a masters degree in environmental
science, biology, or natural resource management.

Habitat for Humanitys ReStore saves approximately 1.5 million

tons of garbage from being sent to landfills every year. My typical
job duties include working with clients and potential donors
from the business community in Winnipeg and surrounding area
who are looking to donate home-improvement items to the
ReStore, meeting with companies to inform them of the benefits
of working with the ReStore and how it can help their business
and image, managing events, and performing administrative
duties (giving tax receipts for donations, keeping track of
calls made, mileage, and expenses). A high school student
considering a career in this line of work might be a self-starter or
self-motivated (enjoying the feeling of accomplishment without
specific direction) and have an interest in helping the less
fortunate, giving back to the community, helping reduce waste
(lower carbon footprints), redirecting garbage from landfills to
be reused, or being part of an organization that gives room to
grow within a position. For this job, some secondary education
is helpful, along with knowledge of the business world, mostly
through work experience and life experience, and skills such
as time-management, staying organized, customer service,
negotiating, and light accounting.

Biophysical Analyst,
Manitoba Hydro

Procurement
Representative,
Habitat for
Humanity

Demand for Sustainability Knowledge and Skills Growing

ECO Canada resources emphasize that, in the near future, we can expect to see more jobs being
created or existing jobs being retooled for sustainability (these jobs could be categorized as
green jobs, sustainability jobs, or environmental jobs) and the demand for sustainability-related
knowledge and skills will continue to grow. One of the most critical issues facing Canada is a
shortage of skilled labour in green jobs and sustainability careers.

Key sectors
in Manitoba
and Canada
are advancing
the green
economy

Green jobs and sustainability careers can be found in all levels of

government, in the private sector (ranging from sole proprietorships
and micro-enterprises to multinational corporations), in
non-governmental organizations, in non-profit and charitable
enterprises, and in schools,
universities, and think tanks.
In Manitoba, hundreds of
Green Economy
companies are operating in
the environmental sector,
UNEP defines a green economy as
many of them providing
one that results in improved human
goods and services related to
well-being and social equity, while
prevention and remediation
significantly reducing environmental
of environmental damage to
risks and ecological scarcities. In
water, air, and soil. In addition, many firms in this province are
its simplest expression, a green
centred on the development of new technologies that reduce
economy can be thought of as
energy consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, and waste
one which is low carbon, resource
(Ruehlicke). Provincial environmental standards for publicly
efficient and socially inclusive (UNEP,
funded buildings and retrofits are in place and new and
Green Economy).
enhanced ecotourism opportunities are being promoted in
the province.
Sectors in Manitobas green economy include clean energy, energy efficiency, and waste
management, as well as bio-product development and production. Growing concentrations of
green jobs in Canada can be found in the sectors identified in the following table.

Growing Concentrations of Green Jobs and Sustainability Careers in Canada

GREEN
MANUFACTURING

GREEN ENERGY

SECTOR

FOCUS

EXAMPLES OF WORK AREAS

Sustainable generation,

Engineering and technical

support
Energy auditing
Manufacturing and marketing
of alternative and renewable
energy components and
systems

Manufacturing methods
that reduce waste and
pollution

transmission, distribution,
storage, and use of energy

Skilled trades
Business sales
Management services
Environmental monitoring

Growing Concentrations of Green Jobs and Sustainability Careers in Canada

GREEN
BUILDING and
TRANSPORTATION

Management of land,
water, and natural
resources in responsible,
sustainable ways

Sustainable farming,
fisheries, forestry, and
mining
Environmental monitoring

Ecotourism and the

Sustainable tourism
Restaurant management
and culinary arts

Educating, inspiring,
and persuading people
to become more
responsible citizens

Education and training

Advertising and marketing
Research
Arts and culture
Journalism and media relations
Public awareness
Social media communication

Shaping policies, laws,

regulations, and financial
instruments that
contribute proactively to
developing a responsible,
sustainable economy

Policy analysis
Law and politics
Investment portfolio
management
Accounting (socially
responsible investing, full-cost
accounting)

GREEN
HOSPITALITY

Construction methods that

AGRICULTURE and
NATURAL RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT

EXAMPLES OF WORK AREAS

COMMUNICATIONS
and ENGAGEMENT

FOCUS

GREEN ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT

SECTOR

Green construction
Landscape design and
reduce waste and improve
gardening
energy and water efficiency
Systems for transporting people Architecture
Urban and rural planning
and goods in environmentally
responsible ways

promotion of locally
produced foods and
services

We can all take action towards responsible living

and working
All of us can commit to living a more sustainable lifestyle, at home, in our schools, and in
our jobs. The choices we make regarding the work we do and how we spend and invest our
income all have an impact on the future of our planet. Lets take action now and make choices
for a sustainable future.

References and Further Reading

PROVINCIAL RESOURCES
Manitoba Government Resources
Manitoba Advanced Education and Literacy.
Post-Secondary Education.
<www.edu.gov.mb.ca/ael/unicoll/index.html>.
Manitoba Children and Youth Opportunities.
Urban/Hometown Green Team.
<www.gov.mb.ca/cyo/youth/employers/
greenteam.html>.
Manitoba Conservation and Water Stewardship.
Tomorrow Now: Manitobas Green Plan.
Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba Conservation and Water
Stewardship, n.d. Available online at
<http://gov.mb.ca/conservation/tomorrow
nowgreenplan/pdf/tomorrowNowBook.pdf>.
Manitoba Education. Education for Sustainable
Development.
<www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/esd/>.
Manitoba Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade.
Apprenticeship.
<www.gov.mb.ca/tce/apprent/index.html>.
. Employment and Workforce Development.
<www.gov.mb.ca/tce/emp_work/index.html>.
. Manitoba Labour Market Information (LMI)
and Labour Mobility Website.
<www.gov.mb.ca/tce/lmi/index.html>.

10

. Manitoba Prospects Career Planning

Pull Out Guide, 2012. Winnipeg, MB: Manitoba
Entrepreneurship, Training and Trade, 2012. Available
online at <www.gov.mb.ca/tce/lmi/pdf/career.pdf>.
Manitoba Technical Vocational Initiative.
<www.edu.gov.mb.ca/tvi/index.html>.

Gateways and Portals

Manitoba Career Development Gateway.
<www.manitobacareerdevelopment.ca/CDI/>.
Manitoba Non-Profit Organization (NPO) Portal.
<www.gov.mb.ca/npo/>.
Manitoba Social Enterprise Portal.
<www.gov.mb.ca/ctt/social_enterprise/>.

Other Resources
Manitoba Environmental Industries Association (MEIA).
Home Page. <www.meia.mb.ca/>.
Timmer, Dagmar, Heather Creech, and Carolee Buckler.
Becoming a Sustainability Leader: IISDs Role in Shaping
the Next Generation of Sustainable Development
Leadership. Winnipeg, MB: International Institute for
Sustainable Development, 2007. Available online at
<www.iisd.org/pdf/2007/sustainability_leader.pdf>.

NATIONAL RESOURCES
Canadian Labour Congress. Green Jobs.
Environmental Issues.
<www.canadianlabour.ca/issues/green-jobs>.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). About

GEI. Green Economy. <www.unep.org/greeneconomy/
AboutGEI/WhatisGEI/tabid/29784/Default.aspx>.

Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada.

2010 Profile of Canadian Environmental Employment.
Calgary, AB: ECO Canada, 2010. Available online
at <www.eco.ca/pdf/Profile-Of-CanadianEnvironmental-Employment-ECO-Canada-2010.pdf>.

United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),

International Labour Organization (ILO), International
Organization of Employers (IOE), and International
Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). Green Jobs: Towards
Decent Work in a Sustainable, Low-Carbon World. Sept.
2008. <www.unep.org/labour_environment/PDFs/
Greenjobs/UNEP-Green-Jobs-Report.pdf>.

. Defining the Green Economy. Calgary, AB: ECO

Canada, 2010. Available online at <www.eco.ca/pdf/
Defining-the-Green-Economy-2010.pdf>.

. The UNEP ILO IEO ITUC Green Jobs Initiative.

<www.unep.org/labour_environment/features/
greenjobs-initiative.asp>.

. The Green Jobs Map: Tracking Employment

through Canadas Green Economy. Calgary, AB: ECO
Canada, 2012. Available online at
<www.eco.ca/publications/pdf/Employment-inCanada-Green-Economy-2012-final.pdf>.
First WorkGreen Skills Network, and Canadian
Education and Research Institute for Counselling
(CERIC). Emerging Green Jobs in Canada: Insights for
Employment Counsellors into the Changing Labour
Market and Its Potential for Entry-Level Employment.
Available online at
<http://ceric.ca/files/PDFs/Emerging%20Green
%20Jobs%20in%20Canada.pdf> and at
<www.firstwork.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/
2012/06/Emerging-Green-Jobs-in-Canada.pdf>.
First Work: The Ontario Association of Youth
Employment Centres. Green Skills Network.
<www.greenskillsnetwork.ca/>.
Ruehlicke, Leah. Green Careers with Growth in
Western Canada. 7 Sept. 2012. TalentEgg.ca.
<http://talentegg.ca/incubator/2012/09/07/
green-western-canada/>.

INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
Strietska-Ilina, Olga, Christine Hofmann, Mercedes
Durn Haro, and Shinyoung Jeon. Skills for Green Jobs:
A Global View: Synthesis Report Based on 21 Country
Studies. Geneva, Switzerland: International Labour
Office, 2011. Available online at <www.ilo.org/public/
libdoc/ilo/2011/111B09_234_engl.pdf>.

JOB SEARCH RESOURCES

Environmental Career Opportunities
Environmental Careers Organization (ECO) Canada.
Aboriginal Resources. <www.eco.ca/public/services/
professional/aboriginal-resources/492/>.
. ECO Job Board. <www.eco.ca/public/services/
professional/eco-job-board/365/>.
GoodWork Canada. <www.goodworkcanada.ca/>.
Manitoba Eco-Network. Green Jobs.
<http://mbeconetwork.org/resources/green-jobs>.

Mainstream Job Boards

Manitoba WorkinfoNET. <www.mb.workinfonet.ca>.
Monster. <www.monster.ca>.
Workopolis. <www.workopolis.com>.

Industry-Specific Job Postings

Parks Canada. Jobs at Parks Canada.
<www.pc.gc.ca/agen/empl/index_e.asp>.
Replant. <www.replant.ca/>.

International Resource for Young Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurs Toolkit.
<www.entrepreneurstoolkit.org>.

The websites cited above were accessed in October 2012.

11

Contact
Carolee Buckler
Sustainable Development Coordinator
Manitoba Education
Telephone: 204-945-1924
Fax: 204-945-1704
Email: carolee.buckler@gov.mb.ca
For further information on education for sustainable development, refer to the
Manitoba Education website at <www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/esd/>.
This booklet is available at <www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/esd/resources.html>.

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