Release
DURANT – Sustainable Durant is excited to present its first event of the new year featuring three dynamic speakers and a group of organizations committed to offering students and residents the latest information on the explosion of green jobs happening now. The event is free and open to the public and will take place on January 12 from 5:30 to 7:30 at Durant’s Main Public Library.
Business presented by Kiamichi Tech.
“We are delighted to kick off the new year with such an exciting program.” said Mark Mesiti-Miller, Chair of Sustainable Durant. “Residents and students interested in good jobs that meet their personal needs while also caring for the planet will get a first-hand chance to hear from and talk to experts in various fields at this event. Local businesses may be surprised by the opportunities in this fast growing sector of the economy.”
The line-up of speakers is really strong:
Bob Firth is the Dean of Engineering & Construction Technologies at OSU Institute of Technology, is a renewable energy industry leader, serial entrepreneur, and keynote speaker. Bob has created six companies and now enjoys being able to leverage that expertise to help guide others towards an empowered, success-driven future. Bob will provide an overview of the explosive growth of “green” jobs throughout the state, the latest technology and the paths to joining these growing industries.
Kathy Jackson is the KidWind project leader for Oklahoma and Texas, and, an adjunct professor at Northern Oklahoma College, will talk about renewable energy careers, focusing on wind energy. Kathy will explain some of the fast-track, non-traditional programs available putting people to work in the fast-growing wind and solar energy industries.
Tony Pascall is the Education Coordinator for the Oklahoma Forestry Services, will discuss the many career opportunities for green jobs in forestry and land management and how to get those jobs. Tony will also explain the “Green Mentorship” program offered by Project Learning Tree, a national nonprofit and award-winning environmental education program supported by Oklahoma Forestry Services.
The presentations will be tailored to students and adults interested in learning more about green career options, to the business community interested in this fast growing sector of the economy and to the general public interested in learning how Oklahoma is powering forward to a more sustainable future.
In addition to the speakers, several other organizations and businesses will be on-hand and prepared to discuss how to find such wide-ranging career options.
The list of green jobs is long and interesting. Most folks quickly think of jobs in the wind turbine or solar panel industries as green but green jobs also include jobs in wildlife and forestry management, water systems, energy distribution, power line technicians even bus drivers and mechanics as green jobs are defined as those producing goods or providing services that conserve natural resources or benefit the environment. Some green jobs require college degrees while many others are available through technical training and certificate programs. Some employers even offer paid internships.
As one expert noted, “Our biggest challenge is finding workers. We have the jobs — good jobs; we need workers.”
For this event, Sustainable Durant has partnered with Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology, Oklahoma Forestry Services, KidWind Project, Northern Oklahoma College, Durant Chamber of Commerce, Southern Oklahoma Workforce Board, the Donald W. Reynolds Library and the Durant Green School Program.
This event is the fourth in a series launched in September 2022 by Sustainable Durant, Inc. a non-profit, community organization committed to educating and energizing citizens in sustaining our region’s environmental richness, natural resources and beauty.
UPCOMING: Sustainable Durant’s February program will focus on Sustainable Farming and Agriculture whether on many acres or in your backyard.
For more information, comments or questions, call Mark Mesiti-Miller (831-818-3660) or Donna Murphy (831-239-3349).