Opportunity
  • Table 13 shows location quotients for jobs that demand these same three abilities at the level demanded by green blue-collar jobs whether those jobs are considered green or not. Workers currently employed outside of green occupations, might nonetheless be qualified for green jobs on the basis of these abilities. Every region in the state is specialized in occupations that demand higher than average Near Vision. Even regions that had low green occupation LQs, specialize in an ability that is required by such jobs. On the Precision and Coordination items, specialized clusters were observed in a majority of regions, suggesting that even regions that do not appear to have strong current specializations in green activities (e.g., Bakersfield) may nonetheless have the capacity to reward workforce development in the green economy. Policymakers who want to turn traditional jobs into green jobs should target training and recruiting at traditional occupations that share abilities and skills with green work.