Rosner 2006 Jobs in LA Green Building

http://www.greenforall.org/resources/la-apollo-rosner.pdf

• Report comes from a UCLA Urban Planning Master Client Project
• Asks what types of jobs are arising in the green building industry and whether any are new. Also, how green building jobs can benefit low-income communities of color.
• Case studies of 3 green buildings + interviews of green building industry reps.
• Interesting results:
• 1. Public policy is the driving force behind green building and stimulating local economic development in the green building sector. Public policy support for green building is motivated by energy conservation, cost savings, and environmental concerns.
• 2. A green building knowledge gap exists between the designers and architects who design the project and the contractors and sub-contractors who construct the project.
• 3. New job opportunities in the green building industry include: LEED certifiers, commissioners and auditors; energy auditors; recyclers; and landscapers.
• 4. Green building material manufacturing represents the most promising industry to stimulate local economic development across Los Angeles.
• 5. The most effective way to connect people from low-income communities of color with green building jobs is through union apprenticeship and worker center training programs.
• Reviews research on green energy and job creation - mostly just refers to Kammen article. Says there are jobs to be had and will depend on policy.
• p.8 California also passed a Million Solar Roofs initiative in 2006, committing $3.2 billion in incentive funds to drive consumers toward solar power over the next 11 years. The Initiative will be implemented in 2007.
• 10 Mentions the Los Angeles Manufacturing Credit phased out in 2005 that gave an additional $1.50/watt rebate to PV systems installed and manufactured in LA...The report [2004 - by LA dept of water and power - on solar incentive program] notes that LADWP trained over 300 workers in PV installation; and employs about 1000 people who spend some portion of their time in PV installation.
• 13-14 Two paragraphs illustrating the impact of policy: The IBEW (electrician’s union) training center recently completed a solar energy power project illustrating policy’s powerful impact. An IBEW training center representative explained how policy impacted the center’s decision to invest in solar power. Interest existed to create a solar training center for the union’s apprentices. However, the real push came from the future energy cost savings. The PV system cost approximately three million dollars, of which half was financed by Edison subsidies. The representative emphasized that Edison receives all of its incentive funding from the State. Therefore, finance incentives on the state level represent the true driving force behind IBEW decision to install a PV system. The system is expected to pay for itself in four years through its 800 megawatt cost savings per year. This pay off period is quicker than first anticipated due to higher performance panels being introduced to the market.
• The IBEW representative also explained that Title 24 significantly impacted energy conservation in California. Adopted in 1978, Title 24 acted as a response to reduce California’s energy consumption by setting building standards for electrical systems. The representative recalled that in 1978 the lighting trades protested the ordinance and feared that they would not be able to meet required standards. However, the lighting trades ended up successfully responding with innovations in technology. Subsequently, California’s Title 24 building standards serves as a model for energy conservation in other states.15
• LADWP put solar incentive program on hold (in 2005?), and report says that several small firms went out of business as a result.
• 16 Green building does not require different skill jobs so much as experience and retraining in green building construction for existing positions.
• 17 Two paragraphs on difficulties in green building when experience is lacking: The contractor on the job expressed that the [Lakeview Terrance Branch] library was his first and last LEED project he bid for. As LEED was just being introduced in Los Angeles at the time of construction, the contractor had no prior experience in LEED. When the Los Angeles Department of Public Works selects a contractor from a bid process, the City’s only criterion is to choose the lowest bidder. Experience in green building is not a factor.
• The contractor explained that the biggest challenge in the project was obtaining the green building materials. The contractor went through seven different sub-contractors due to inexperience and inadequate knowledge about green building materials and where to seek out fitting materials to match the project’s specifications. The contractor noted that not enough information on LEED and its requirements were offered during the bidding process. Contractors bid for the project without comprehending the full extent of work that LEED would require. The contractor explained that the biggest project issue was a lack of knowledge base on green building.
• 19 Recommends establishing a Green Building Resource Center to bring together information currently spread throughout a number of departments. Santa Monica and Chicago both have them.
• 20 Describes new jobs created by green building: LEED professionals (exam certification), energy auditors, green landscaping, building waste recycling. Recommends standards and certifications for these positions.
• 24 PV Jobs, a non-profit organization providing job placement opportunities for disadvantaged youth and adults, utilizes worker center training and union apprenticeship programs to connect their applicants with jobs.
• 25 PV Jobs works with numerous community organizations and over 50 worker centers throughout Los Angeles to integrate potential employees with union trades working on one of the nine LACCD [LA Community College District LEED certified] campus construction projects. These organizations are responsible for marketing the PV Jobs program and are the first stop for interested applicants. Union trade jobs include: painters, carpenters, floor installers, laborers, plumbers, concrete masons, sheet metal workers, electricians, and tile setters. To qualify for PV Jobs, an applicant must show one of the following employment barriers: income below 50 percent of median; homeless; welfare recipient; unemployed; single parent; and past justice system involvement.
• The first step for an interested applicant is to attend a brief orientation, proving her/his commitment. Next, the applicant is placed in the program tract. The program tract provides applicants with training and connects them with a construction trades union. Through a union position, the applicant is guaranteed health benefits and prevailing wages. PV Jobs commits 3000 working hours to each employer. This means that PV Jobs conducts regular follow-ups to ensure that constituents are truly placed at paying jobs. The union tract often moves slowly, so PV Jobs frequently places people before they are accepted in a union. At these times they are not guaranteed prevailing jobs, and the construction jobs may not even be related to the College District. Contractors may even benefit from this program. PV Job candidates are often eligible for the Work Opportunity Tax that gives employers a tax credit of up to $250, on average, per employee.
• The biggest obstacle in the process, as expressed by two PV Jobs representatives, is placing dedicated and committed applicants with the available jobs. Construction jobs are labor intensive and team oriented. The PV Jobs program tract provides job orientation and training. However, applicants may not have the right mind set for such jobs. They need to realize that they are members of a working crew. It is not excusable if a person does not show up for work. Second, many applicants lack the basic math and English skills to enter the higher skill unions, such as electricians and plumbers. A representative from the IBEW Local 11 training center in Los Angeles echoed this same challenge. The most serious obstacle facing applicants for IBEW apprenticeship programs is the lack of basic math and English skills.
• 26 National IBEW partnered with Sharp, a PV manufacturer, and developed a Sharp PV installation certificate process for union members
• 27 Unions: The PV Jobs representative, who works closely with unions and their training centers, noted that the carpenters union has an extensive training program that includes green building principles. The laborers union may feature green building elements in its construction simulation work station site. Other construction trades to consider working with for a Green Jobs Campaign are the pipetrades, finishers, and plumbers.