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The USA needs more local job training shops stocked with machine tools.

Some high schools and community colleges currently have woodworking and auto mechanic shops that are open for continuing adult education, as well as student vocational education.

But product fabrication facilities is a new idea that is making progress.  High tech approaches to sensors, controllers, photovoltaics, LED lighting, etc. could spur advancement of innovation, as well as prepare the workforce for these cutting edge jobs.

CNC equipment like mills and lathes and a variety of other advanced tools and processes including biotech systems are needed to prepare people for the current revolution in manufacturing.

These shops might be seen as public extensions of local schools, essentially turning the shops of public schools into a public library of tools.

A few variations on this concept have been developed
Men's Shed,  http://www.mensshed.org/
FabLab,   http://fab.cba.mit.edu/
TechShop,  http://techshop.ws/
100KGarages,  http://100kgarages.com/

And books like David Morris' "Neighborhood Power: The New Localism" propose similar approached to distributed technical education.

A related article is "The Case for Working With Your Hands":
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/magazine/24labor-t.html

Note from the Australian Men's Shed Association:  "Communities are keen to provide activities, identity and meaning for vast numbers of older, unemployed, job-redundant, 'downsized', isolated, depressed and happily retired, active, creative, enthusiastic men. Men's Sheds are fast being recognized as vital, viable places to fulfill these needs and provide relaxed, happy creative spaces for men to enjoy."

The U.S. Department of Labor awarded $6,499,992 to assist national industry and employer associations and labor-management organizations in advancing Registered Apprenticeship through the development of innovative programs that utilize an updated 21st century Registered Apprenticeship framework.

"This funding will promote the development of flexible training options that allow organizations to continue to provide workers with state-of-the-art apprenticeship opportunities" said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Traditional as well as new and emerging industries, such as those related to green technologies, will benefit from the innovative program designs that this $6.5 million will help to support and expand."

Registered Apprenticeship is an "earn while you learn" model that provides a combination of on-the-job learning and related classroom instruction in which workers learn the practical and theoretical aspects of a highly skilled occupation.

Apprenticeship programs are sponsored by joint employer and labor groups, individual employers, and/or employer associations.

Currently the Registered Apprenticeship system includes a network of approximately 30,000 program sponsors nationwide, offering nearly 1,000 different career opportunities.

• The grants will fund the development and adaptation of innovative national apprenticeship guideline standards that incorporate competency-based progression or hybrid-style progression (a combination of traditional time-based programs and competency-based models).
  
• Funds will also be available to support the development and use of interim credentials to track an apprentice's skill progression; as well as the use of technology-based learning to provide related technical instruction.
  
• Funds will also be used to support partnerships with the workforce and education communities.
  
• Finally, funds are also available to train staff, apprenticeship instructors and members on these revised and innovative program designs.

For more information on Registered Apprenticeship and the array of Department of Labor training and employment programs visit www.doleta.gov.

One of the main killers of productivity faced by today's workers is the Sick Building Syndrome.
 
The US Environmental Protection Agency defines the term "Sick Building Syndrome" (SBS) as situations in which building occupants experience acute health and comfort effects that appear to be linked to time spent in a building, but no specific illness or cause can be identified.
 
With 30% of U.S. workers suffering from health problems caused by Sick Building Syndrome, companies are vastly underusing their human assets and underestimating the benefits of switching to green cleaning. With the same effectiveness as traditional cleaning, and little or no cost increase, the return on investment for switching to green cleaning is immense.

Bacteria such as Leginella pneumophila can easily multiply in an office and lead to workers suffering from pneumonia or even Pontiac fever. Pontiac fever is marked by fever, chills, headaches and body aches. These bacteria can grow in the office air ventilation system without your knowledge.
 
Victims of Sick Office Syndrome suffer from a broad range of symptoms such as chronic fatigue, nausea, vision problems and memory loss. Their immune and detoxification systems start to malfunction causing them to suffer from more illnesses and long term effects due to prolonged exposure to harmful bacteria.
 
Sick Building Syndrome can be detrimental towards a company's profitability because workers will not be performing at their optimal level and may spend many days away on sick leave. In this competitive world of ours, more businesses are realizing that a clean workplace is a strategic business tool. It is very important to protect their most valuable assets--their employees.
 
How to prevent your workers from suffering from this unproductive syndrome? The answer is very simple, switch to green cleaning your office. What are the advantages of green cleaning?
 
Green cleaning can:
- Improve indoor air quality
- Provide healthier facilities for workers
- Increase  worker productivity and reduce the number of days that they have to call in sick.
- Improve morale and keep workers thinking positively
- Minimize the possibility of exposure to potentially dangerous chemicals
- Reduce water and air pollution with biodegradable, nontoxic products
- Improve the overall environment with best practices in cleaning and janitorial practices
- Lower operational costs by reducing mold, mildew and accumulation of dust, etc.
 
It is becoming easier to engage the services of a green certified janitorial cleaning company. By using the right equipment and environmentally friendly cleaning products, business and facility managers can be assured that their work environment is cleaner and greener.

The Clean Green Institute certifies companies and individual technicians in green cleaning strategies that include not only the cleaning solutions that prevent toxicity, but strategies and techniques to improve indoor air quality, reduce wasted water, and reduce problems such as mold and mildew from accumulating due to inadequate cleaning, sunshine and ventilation.

Just a tip -- whether you're already employed, or trying to impress a prospective employer -- it's a good thing to know what kinds of energy saving incentives are available.  Here are some resources for you to check out...and learn about:

Searchable Incentive Databases

• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency ENERGYSTAR Database
  California-specific database of financial resources (not specific to energy efficiency); energy services and products providers; and success stories.
• Flex Your Power Database
  Searchable database of energy-efficiency related rebates, incentives and services available in California.
• Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
  Searchable database on state, local, utility and federal incentives that promote renewable energy and energy efficiency.

Go green, go efficient!  Facility jobs run the gamut from repair, maintenance, design and even security!  Green workplaces are a core contributor to health, energy efficiency, water conservation and low toxicity.

Green facility jobs start with the basics:

• Recycling paper, plastic, glass, metal, etc.
• Reducing water use
• Replace toxic cleaners with non-toxic methods and products
• Bring fresh air into the ventilation system
• Use natural light whenever possible

These simple approaches to a greener facility pay off with higher employee health and wellness because they have less exposure to toxins, more air that provides energy and mood lifts, and longer term health that reduces exposure to colds and flu, etc

Green Seal provides a facilities certification program that helps you make ongoing progress. The Green Facilities Partnership
www.greenseal.org

UC Berkeley Facilities Services. Check out a case study of how one college greatly improved their facility sustainability:
www.facilities.berkeley.edu/GreenBuildings/index.html

Facilities Management Magazine
www.fmlink.com

What's needed is to realize that you can green your current job -- isn't that the easiest way to find a green job?  Start where you are!  Put a simple plan together for step number one.  What's easiest where you are?  Take that step, make it successful, show your enthusiasm and spread the job.  You will recruit support for your next step...but just concentrate on your FIRST step.  Don't get overwhelmed!