Marlborough – Stakeholders from business, education and government will gather in Marlborough for the 4th Massachusetts Green Career Conference Thursday, Oct. 4. Exhibits open at 8 a.m. and speaker sessions begin at 9 a.m. at the Holiday Inn, 265 Lakeside Ave., Marlborough. The first three conferences were sold out to 300-350 people learning about careers in the growing green economy.
The conference director, Jen Boudrie, is also the founder of a local environmental group called Green Marlborough, an instructional designer by profession, and director of Green Workforce Training.
“This conference attracts diverse people from across the Commonwealth who are interested in sustainable development,” Boudrie said. “This event is a great place to network and learn about green careers.”
This year's keynote panel will include Kevin Doyle, New England Clean Energy Council Workforce Development Co-Chair; Greg Watson, Commissioner, Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources; Madeline Snow, Director, Environmental Managements Systems, Sustainable Production, UMass Lowell; and Heidi Garrett-Peltier, Researcher, Political Economy Research Institute, UMass Amherst, and author of “Pedestrian and Bicycle Infrastructure:? A National Study of Employment Impacts.”
The audience can enjoy introductory training about careers in? Sustainability, Green Chemistry, Green Building, and Clean Energy.
“This is an excellent event for people to hear from leading experts in their fields,” Boudrie said. “For example, the woman presenting on Green Chemistry is the first person to receive a PhD in Green Chemistry in the world.? She is the co-founder of a Massachusetts organization called Beyond Benign.”
Nine more sessions will include leading experts speaking about “Gateways to Greener Careers”, “Sustainability is Becoming Everyone's Job”,? “The Biggest Green Employer in Massachusetts”, “Research, Policy, and Job Creation”, “Vocational, Technical and Business Skills Are in Demand”, “Environmental Businesses in Massachusetts”, “My Green Career”, “Workforce and Sustainable Development”, and “Businesses that Are Hiring.”
Exhibitors include employers like Digital Lumens, Next Step Living, Conservation Services Group, and the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.? At the conference they are accepting resumes to fill current job openings. Universities, colleges, and training providers will have information about their programs in sustainability, energy, landscaping, conservation, sustainable enterprise, and more.
“A lot of people come to our conference for the same reason – to find solutions,” Boudrie added.? “We'sl have a good mix of experts on hand:? government officials, local environmentalists, college administrators, business people, job seekers, and workforce development professionals – all dedicated to advancing sustainable development with the environment, economy, and equity in mind.”
The conference is sponsored by Green Workforce Training and the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center.
Tickets are $75 per person and $45 per student, and cover speakers, exhibitors, coaching, networking, roundtable discussions, lunch and breakfast.? Tickets can be purchased at http://greencareer.eventbrite.com. ?Information is available at www.MassGreenCareers.com.
