Recent studies have shown that green buildings lead to higher rental income, lower occupancy rates, and an additional premium at the time of sale. Now a new study by the University of San Diego and CBRE allows building owners to add increased worker productivity to their list of green building benefits.

Norm G. Miller (University of San Diego) and Dave Pogue (CBRE) wrote the report, which will be published in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Sustainable Real Estate.

The report’s abstract provides an introduction stating, “Healthier buildings reduce sick time and increase productivity, making it easier to recruit and retain employees. The results provided here are based on a survey of over 500 tenants who have moved into either LEED or Energy Star labeled buildings managed by CBRE.”

Employee productivity, according to the study, is effected by several things: telecommuting, health care maintenance, temperature, indoor air quality, indoor pollution, innovative work spaces and several other factors.

Inadequate ventilation, chemical contaminants from indoor and outdoor sources and biological contaminants are all side-effects of sick building syndrome (SBS). Green building rating systems, like the LEED-certification system by the U.S. Green Building Council, address these causes and guide building designers.

The research team collected responses from 534 tenants in 154 buildings that were either LEED-certified or were recognized by the EPA as an EnergyStar building. In order to determine the productivity of workers in the building, tenants were asked to report on employees’ sick days and the self-reported productivity figures after the tenant moved into the green building.

Survey respondents showed that 54.5% of tenants reported that green employees are more productive with 12 percent strongly agreeing with this statement. Additionally, 45% of the respondents noticed a decrease in sick days since their individual company moved into the green building.

Surprisingly, 10% of the tenants reported an increase in sick days taken by employees. However, every tenant represented by this 10% was in an EnergyStar rated building that was not also LEED-certified. Further research is needed to help account for the increase in sick days. This study is just the latest report that confirms the many benefits to building green, beyond the obvious reduced environmental impact of the building.

In a recent blog, GreenBiz.com Executive Editor Joel Makower noted that job statistics in the broad new sector could become vulnerable to “green-washing” even as positions appear to materialize. “We don’t really know how to define a green job, let alone measure when one is created or ‘retained,’ ” he wrote. And that seems to be what everyone is getting stuck on at this point - what the heck is a “green job”?

Some question the overall impact that green jobs will have on the job supply. In a press conference on March 16, a group of academics conducting research on behalf of the Institute for Energy Research raised concerns about the practical benefits of green jobs. Those concerns included questions about whether estimates of net job creation factored in positions that would be lost from existing, fossil fuel-related industries.

In a guest column on GreenBiz.com, Ellis dives into the question of a “green jobs mirage” posed by Makower’s piece. Though acknowledging the number of green jobs is relatively few, Ellis noted the demands for them — and for what they represent — are growing. As “individuals are forced to re-evaluate their blue collar resumes , professional priorities or seek new careers as they are let go from those they were following, they are coming in droves to the idea of a ‘green job,’ ” he wrote. “Yet, it’s not really a ‘green job’ they want. They’re not seeking definitional clarity or a certification that their job is deep (or bright) green. Instead, they’re seeking a new path entirely.”

Taking up that thread anew in speaking of job-seekers, Ellis says, “Everybody is wondering what a green job is, we need to get past that and get past that quickly. Don’t let the green throw you. Business models may have changed, but it is still business.”

In the U.S. alone, buildings account for 72% of our electricity consumption and 38% of all carbon-dioxide emissions. Working together, Arizona’s advocates for a green economy are advancing practical and effective solutions to offset adverse environmental impacts.

When the Arizona chapter was organized, Arizona had just one building certified under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, rating system that is used to assess green-building practices. Today, there are 52 LEED-certified projects and 355 LEED-registered projects that are advancing toward this certification. The impact for Arizona’s green economy is tremendous.

Our cities are helping drive this change. In 2005, Scottsdale was the first city in the nation to adopt a policy to construct its buildings to achieve a LEED Gold Certification level.

In 2006, Phoenix adopted the policy that new city-owned buildings must meet the requirements of LEED-certified ratings, and that same year, Tucson committed itself to constructing city-owned buildings to LEED Silver standards.

Recently, Tempe made history by constructing the new Tempe Transportation Center, which is one of the most energy-efficient buildings in the nation. The project stars a three-story, 40,000-square-foot office and retail complex, which is also a bus and light-rail hub. It’s designed to be 52 percent more energy-efficient than traditionally constructed buildings and has the first vegetated desert green roof on a commercial building in our state.

Like the Transportation Center roof, decisions to adopt green practices usually start at the top. As more businesses factor in the savings in water and energy costs that these buildings deliver, corporations and entrepreneurs alike are realizing it makes good financial sense to adopt a green approach.

This November will be a milestone for our state as it plays host to the prestigious 2009 Greenbuild International Conference & Expo. It is expected to bring 30,000 professionals to Phoenix in the fields of construction, energy, community planning, product development, sustainability and other related fields to hear top international speakers and see the latest technology.

Being chosen to host Greenbuild ‘09 confirms that Arizona is recognized for its leadership in green building. All this action indicates that we are at a tipping point where sustainable practices and building green are becoming mainstream.

A recent report from the Center for American Progress and the Political Economy Research Institute proposed a $100 billion investment in green infrastructure spread out over two years. The study found that an investment like this will result in over 2 million new jobs in six areas: retrofitting buildings to improve energy efficiency, expanding mass transit and freight rail, constructing “smart” electrical grid transmission systems, wind power, solar power, and next-generation biofuels.

The construction and operation of wind farms will employ workers of all skill levels, from construction workers and operators and truck drivers to sheet metal workers, machinists, environmental engineers, and industrial production managers.

According to an article in the Portland Tribune, as well as a new state report, Oregon had more than 50,000 “green” jobs in 2008, and employers across the state expect to add many more in the next few years.

Oregon Employment Department’s “Greening of Oregon’s Work force: Jobs, Wages and Training,” reported that the state had 51,402 jobs in energy efficiency or renewable projects and a handful of other environmentally related fields. That accounted for about 3 percent of the state’s total employment.

By 2010, employers say they’ll add about 14 percent more green jobs, according to the state report.

Oregon’s Employment Department released information about the report Monday morning, June 29. The report was based on a survey of employers and found that “green jobs” consisted of 226 different occupations.

A green job is one that “provides a service or a product by increasing energy efficiency; producing renewable energy; preventing, reducing or mitigating environmental degradation; cleaning up and restoring the natural environment; and, providing education, consulting, policy promotion, accreditation, trading and offsets or similar services for related environmental projects.”

Construction, wholesale, retail trade, administrative and waste services were the leading industries for most green jobs, about 47 percent of the total, according to the report.

The five occupations with the most green jobs were carpenters, farm workers, truck drivers, hazardous materials removal workers and landscaping and groundskeepers.

The average wage for green jobs in 2008 was $22.61 an hour.

According to the report, nearly a third of green jobs required a special license or certificate. The most common requirements were specific to occupations, such as an electrician’s license. Other common requirements were environmental cleanup or abatement certifications, equipment operator licenses and commercial driver’s licenses and prior on-the-job experience.

The report was funded, in part, with Employer Workforce Training Funds administered by the Oregon Department of Community Colleges and Workforce Development.

A growing wave of companies in all sectors — technology, financial services, energy, retail, manufacturing — are embracing environmentally safe practices and saving money while doing it. ichamba is one of those temporary employment providing companies that is striving to make a change while encouraging and inspiring other companies in the process. One of the ways that ichamba is making a difference with environmentally safe practices is their No Paper Process. They do not require faxes, emails or invoices. ichamba’s 24/7 online access and one-click hiring process saves paper, time and is ultimately more efficient.

Many companies today are using green practices in a variety of ways on their work sites. Green advancements can be anything from product development and packaging, to energy-saving data centers and other technology. Ms. Lea Wolf-Soffer, the founder of ichamba, says that “companies that are practicing and implementing green business practices are actually creating a competitive advantage and eventually strengthening their bottom line. Not only is it good for the economy, but it is also good for the company and it benefits the workers and our communities. The elimination of faxing resumes, filling out paper applications and job-site hopping improves the quality of life for manual labor workers, reduces hiring cost for employers and creates an efficient and streamline process.”

For example, with new technology emerging every day, professionally-trained electricians will be more in demand to install the computers, telecommunication systems and other equipment. There are now many new robots and other automated equipment being developed that require a complex wiring system and installation procedure.

Just like in every industry, when older electricians retire, they leave space for new ones. As the cycle continues, there will always be space for new electricians in the market. The job market will be created especially in those areas which are developing at a faster rate than others.

Many occupations that were formerly manual-labor occupations will still exist in the near future, but they will quickly evolve and have a heavier emphasis on technology. There will always be a need for electricians, and of course, the more well-rounded these workers are- the better.

What’s the most challenging part of the work?
The customers. Physically, plumbing isn’t so bad. You work in a lot of tight spaces – that can be demanding.

So it’s dealing with people that can wear you down?
You have to have patience, lots of patience. Customers don’t understand plumbing, so you try to explain that you’re not ripping them off. You have to explain to them because they don’t have a clue.

What advice would you give aspiring plumbers?
If you do a job, you have to do it properly. No short cuts. Just do the proper training. Short cuts will catch up with you in the end. There are courses out there that claim to be able to teach you plumbing in 12 weeks; it took me four years to become a trained qualified plumber with my certificate.

Do people value your work?
Our loyal customers do. They have confidence in you when they send you out to a job. They know you’re not going to flood the house.

How is plumbing rewarding?
We do get a lot of good reviews. Plus there’s the fact that you’re creating something. That’s rewarding – your workmanship when you do a decent, tidy job.

According to federal government statistics, employment in the automotive-repair field is expected to increase about 20 percent yearly through 2010. That figure is based on the increasing number of cars on the road and the affects of changing technologies, ensuring the need for qualified technicians. Job security is expected to remain high because of the fact that the automotive-repair business is little affected by general economic trends.

A career as an auto technician offers many advantages. Most of today’s automotive service centers are modern, clean and air-conditioned as new-car dealers spend increasing amounts of money in an effort to lure skilled technicians and prevent turnover. In a number of cases, dealers are spending as much on employee facilities and locker rooms as they are on their showrooms.

The auto technician’s pay is also increasing, along with the increasing demand, translating into job security, opportunities for advancement and mobility, plus benefits such as bonuses, retirement plans and health insurance.

Master technicians can earn $70,000 to $100,000 a year, and high-end manufacturers such as Porsche, BMW and Jaguar are now actively recruiting the best technicians, offering advanced programs for gifted graduates of certain training programs who wish to jump-start their career. It is not uncommon for some dealerships to offer incentives, such as sign-on bonuses to attract trained, skilled auto technicians.

Manual labor workers looking for a rewarding career in the auto-service industry will find a variety of challenging jobs at all skill levels: collision-repair tech, paint/refinishing tech, body-shop manager, entry-level, mid-level and master technician and shop foreperson. The industry also offers positions as parts specialists, parts managers, service consultants, service managers and service directors.

In the past, most automotive technicians learned their trade through apprenticeship programs at repair shops. Today’s technician usually attends a trade school or community college.

Most automotive-technology programs offer a comprehensive 18-month program leading to a diploma, as well as a 24-month associate of applied science (AAS) degree program that trains students as entry-level automotive service technicians.

The course of study includes the basic theory of engine repair, electronics, suspension, steering, brakes, transmissions, fuel systems, ignition systems and emission controls.

Demand is high for auto technicians who are skilled at diagnostics. The motor-vehicle repair industry, due to continuing technological sophistication, requires advanced technical training and computer literacy. Students must have computer skills to work on today’s advanced vehicles. If you like computers and are mechanically inclined, the field offers a bright future with an opportunity to combine both skills.

In addition to possessing knowledge of automotive systems and components, today’s auto tech needs strong business and math skills, excellent communication skills, above-average mechanical aptitude and dexterity, good reasoning ability and the ability to read and follow instructions.

Most employers are looking for trained technicians who are skilled at troubleshooting complex problems. Today’s cars are computer-driven, so the more you know about computers, the better you’ll be at finding and fixing the problem. As an auto tech, you’re no longer just a mechanic with a wrench but a technician able to use a computer to analyze the problem and then come up with the correct solution.

The bottom line: A career in automotive service is one of the hottest jobs in America, and the rewards are better than ever.

“Shop class” is the American term for technical studies courses at secondary schools – classes that are fast disappearing from US curricula. The book is a protest against that sort of development – against white-collar culture and the educational system designed to populate it. Crawford, who has a PhD in political thought from the University of Chicago, takes America to task for devaluing skilled manual labour. Trade work, he argues, is more psychologically, intellectually and financially satisfying than the information-processing jobs for which students are typically prepared.

Just three days after publication, Shop Class reached number 23 on The New York Times bestseller list. And in the following three weeks, it went through five printings. When The New York Times Magazine ran a 5,000-word excerpt, readers responded on the newspaper’s website with comments like: “Without doubt the best article that I have read in 13 years. Thank-you”; “This is a wonderful, thought-provoking piece. I read it with mixed emotions: elation, admiration, envy, empathy, inadequacy”; and “You have no idea how much this article means to me. I suspect – hope – it represents the beginning of a shift in thinking.” Americans, perhaps, have found their guide.

Skilled labour has been part of Crawford’s life since he started doing electrical work at the age of 14. He picked it up again at university, to make extra money. He only began working on motorcycles in 2000, rebuilding his own 1975 Honda when he was supposed to be revising his dissertation on Greek political thought. In 2001, disenchanted with the insularity of academia, he accepted an executive job at the Marshall Institute, a conservative environmental think-tank in Washington. It turned out that his primary role there was to develop arguments about climate change that happened to be consistent with those espoused by oil interests. The work, says Crawford, wasn’t “befitting a free man”.

Crawford found he was yearning for work with real goals and tangible results – rewards he had always encountered working with his hands. So six months after joining, he left the think-tank to set up a motorcycle repair shop. As he writes in Shop Class: “there was more thinking going on in the bike shop than in the think-tank.” And he began to wonder why the rest of America hadn’t cottoned on to this. Why did the culture deem the blue collar manual labour of carpenters and electricians inferior to drafting memos and policy papers?

It’s a question that Britons, too, have been asking. This spring, the inventor James Dyson argued that the country’s way out of the recession depended on it becoming a place that “makes things again”. “The recession is teaching us a hard lesson,” he wrote. “Modern Britain cannot wholly rely on the financial sector, or service industries … Britain needs to invent, patent and create.” Dyson thinks the change needs to start with education. And so does Crawford. Whereas students were once required to learn vocational skills that actually interested them, Crawford argues, today, they take courses to make them competitive university candidates.

Despite his academic background, Crawford claims that not all students benefit from university study. It’s not a new idea; what’s remarkable is that Crawford escapes the charges of elitism it usually invites by offering his own experience as proof of the intellectual and emotional satisfaction manual work yields. He also notes that plumbers and electricians often earn more than graduates, partly because they have a level of job security that, in the age of outsourcing, white-collar workers no longer enjoy.

It’s tempting to liken Shop Class to Robert Pirsig’s 1974 bestseller Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Over the course of a road trip across the US, Pirsig’s narrator reflects on technology and reason through the relationship between man and bike. Crawford acknowledges Pirsig as an influence, but Shop Class is not Zen. Crawford’s metaphor is not the journey but the journeyman, the tradesman who makes his way using knowledge he has acquired from coping with physical materials. “A carpenter faces the accusation of his level, an electrician the question whether the lights are in fact on,” he writes. “Such standards have a universal validity.”

In promoting the cause of the individual craftsman, Crawford rejects the “big business” model of capitalism. But he does so when the excesses of the financial system have extended beyond the limits of what is tolerable to even staunch proponents of a free market, when many of us are ready to reconsider what kind of work is valuable. Now, Crawford writes, “it becomes possible once again to think the thought, ‘Let me make myself useful’.”