Top 5 Business/ Jobs Markets for 2011

Dec. 20, 2010 - PRLog -- The New Year is just around the corner and the time to look towards the future is today.  As the holiday season is almost over, many are still struggling to find a job.  While nearly every sector of the economy is hurting, there are some areas that could be poised to have a big year in 2011.  Looking at government incentives, natural business growth, and technology advancements, we believe that these five sectors will show some significant gain in the upcoming year.

Solar Installation:

Solar panel technology is advancing at a truly alarming rate.  Currently the cost of panels is around $2.5-$4 a watt (http://www.solarbuzz.com/Moduleprices.htm).  Even at this price, many businesses in 2010 made the investment to go solar in many of their manufacturing facilities (http://www.nrdc.org/media/2010/100908.asp). Looking at the near future, the cost of panels should drop around 30%.  At this rate, you could see more individual homeowners looking to cut their electricity costs by spending $20 to $30 thousand to be nearly off the grid.  

With any industry that is growing, it will create a lot of room for the unemployed.  For example, installers, salespeople and for the entrepreneurs are looking at a career that could start them earning around $35 thousand a year.   As electricity costs continue to rise, and solar manufacturing costs fall, the solar business will mature. This will be a growth business according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos192.htm#outlook), and one to look out for.

Building Retrofitting:

This market will be growing in 2011 as the economy slowly recovers.  Businesses and households will look to make capital improvements to buildings in order to save money in the long term.  To help with this, there are many government and energy incentives to help businesses and homeowners.  As more plumbers, electricians and other skilled laborers retire, there may be a shortage. Therefore, this is expected to be a very good year for those who are going into or are already in these fields (http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos192.htm#outlook).

Building retrofitting is a growing business because of the growing pressures for LEED certified buildings.  Since governmental standards are increasing, the need for educated builders and contractors will increase.  With the correct knowledge and packaging, one can look into being an energy auditor (http://www.greencareersguide.com/Is-an-Energy-Auditor-Job...), and can make anywhere from $30 to $60 thousand a year

Wind Turbine Installation:

Wind turbines installations are going to be increasing greatly over the next year.  If one does a job search for wind turbine (http://www.jobtarget.com/c/search_results.cfm?site_id=953...), you will find increasing opportunities for a career.  Wind turbine installation is a specialized career and usually falls under the realm of engineers.  Turbines are huge and complex machines that harness the wind.  With many engineers scrambling to find or maintain work, this sector could help many, with salaries that range around $52 to $62 thousand a year.

Mass Transit:

Mass transit over the coming year could see a lot of money being thrown its way.  The United States government has been on record saying that it wants to see an infrastructure built for this to happen.  This could mean up to $60 billion over the next few years (http://www.barackobama.com/pdf/issues/FactSheetTransportation.pdf).  Mass transit careers cover a wide array of educational backgrounds.  While you may need a specialized drivers license to drive a train, one may need a four year degree to help build and maintain the infrastructure.  Salaries could vary tremendously since there is a vast amount of educational backgrounds that could be employed within this field.

Electric Car Manufacturing:

Electric cars are the future of automotives.  As technology advances, the range and popularity of these cars will increase.  This year, the price of the electric car should drop around 20%.  While this may not be enough to make a huge difference in sales, it will have an impact and start to make them more cost competitive.  The Volt and Leaf are only preludes to a booming and more affordable electric car.  The big three will need to invest in battery technology or risk losing out to smaller or foreign manufacturers.  In hard hit manufacturing areas like Metro Detroit (http://www.clickondetroit.com/news/25957187/detail.html), batteries could prove to be an economic goldmine. This equals an opportunity for growth in the engineering side to electric car manufacturing.  Electrical, automotive, and energy engineers could see a lot of openings for specialized jobs in this field. Engineers in this field will see salaries in the range of $50 to $60 thousand a year.

2011 should hopefully lead to many more jobs and a lower jobless rate.  Position yourself for growth.

# # #

Green Careers Guide is here to help. The world is transforming. Why not join the fastest growing job arena in the world. Green career employment is expected to be a 1.5 trillion dollar industry.