Green Transportation Careers

Some green transportation workers—mainly technicians and manufacturing employees—are represented by unions. Some major unions include the United Automobile, Aerospace, and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (http://uaw.org) and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (http://www.goiam.org), among others.

Engineers and technicians can obtain resources and support from professional organizations, such as SAE International. Other useful associations for green transportation workers include the Electric Drive Transportation Association; Fuel Cell & Hydrogen Energy Association; and Renewable Fuels Association.

The National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies (http://www.nicet.org) offers certification to engineering technicians. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence offers a variety of certifications for vehicle service technicians, including one in alternative fuels. Other organizations that issue certifications include the SME (for manufacturing engineers) and the American Institute of Certified Planners, a division of the American Planning Association. The National Council of Examiners for Engineering and Surveying (http://www.ncees.org) provides licensure to engineers.

The U.S. Department of Energy conducts extensive research on alternative fuel and advanced vehicle technologies.