Executive Summary - Driving Change: Greening the Automotive ...

of preparation required for the new job. While thetrip time measure is not perfect, it is a great advanceover many previous career pathway tools because itprovides users an easily understandable measure of aworker’s skills gap.Finally, this study produced a tri-state trainingprogram database for green and growing occupationsas a resource to complement the trip time results.After a displaced worker generates a set of suitablealternative occupations, he or she can match thoseoccupations with postsecondary educational,technical and vocational programs in the region. Theskills gap and training program databases, togetherwith all the Driving Change analysis and researchresults, are available on the web free of charge atwww.drivingworkforcechange.org.Workforce ImplicationsSeveral practical responses emerged from thisresearch:• The need for ongoing access to capital for thesupplier network is critical to the stabilization ofthis sector.• Emerging green and cross-functional systemsapproaches to design, manufacturing, equipmentmaintenance and building construction willdemand corresponding changes in the training ofworkers from the design center to the shop floor.• Strategic training for managers that emphasizeslong-term planning, worker training benefits andthe need to integrate complex investments couldimprove acceptance of the associated investmentcosts.• Current differences among definitions of greenjobs and inconsistent use of occupational codingsystems frustrate and complicate research effortsaimed at identifying and quantifying these jobsand identifying training opportunities.• Many of the workers displaced from the autosector who will need to transition to alternateoccupations are starting with limited education(high school or less). These workers will beespecially challenged in finding acceptablereplacements for their old jobs and will needsupport throughout that process.4 Driving Workforce Change: Regional Impact and Implications of Auto Industry Transformation to a Green Economy