Workforce Development Leads to Environmental Protection My Story

After working in the field of environmental education, conservation, and management as an educator and a licensed professional, it is my professional opinion that the long-term solution to effective environmental protection comes through not just awareness programs, but workforce development programs.  When individuals and families are supported by stable growing and expanding careers we have the opportunity and luxury of getting them to take a moment to think about how their choices impacts the community, other citizens, and the environment.  After 30+ years of attending workshops, fairs, and other educational events, I have found that the bigger barrier to positive change does not come through “progress”, “fear-mongering”, or “shame”, but through environmental education and workforce development opportunities.   At one event, there was a group of kids at a presentation that were not paying attention.  Rather than asking them to stop, I said the following “Boy that Presenter seems lame”, they all said “Yeah”, I then said it is rather strange, because I pay him over $ 50,000 per year, but he knows his stuff.  The kids were shocked that this guy that was dressed in jeans, ratty hair, and to be honest looked like a “nerd” made that kind of money.   I had 75% of the kids, stop talking and pay attention for the rest of the presentation.  In fact, three of the kids asked questions, and 1 stayed to here the presentation again.

Note: You do not have to change all, but if you can get their attention and change one – this is a Win!.

As a kid, I played in mine spoils, acid mine drainage, and when the streets would flood, I got my inter-tube.   Then I did not know, the flooding in the streets meant the stormwater and sewage water piping were backing up and creating a pond of contaminated water in the streets.  Also, my parents did not know this either, but I had fun. Now I did grow up in a mining town and I did graduate high school with a 5 grade reading level, it was not the “Sky is Falling”, “Global Cooling”, or “Fears of Over-Population”, that sparked by interest in the environment is was the Boy Scouts, mentoring with individuals that loved their job,  career, and were passionate about their communities.  Through mentoring and Scouting, I learn a respect for the environment and my fellow man, self reliance, and skills in leadership and planning and earned the honor of being an Eagle Scout.

Note: Yes, I graduate from high school with a 5th grade level of reading and writing and I found this out in college.  I was diagnosed with dyslexia in college. It was hard getting a BS and MS degree and then working in a professional that requires me to write reports, but I did it.  Why?  Because I found my weaknesses and did not avoid them, but took them head on and started pushing the boulders up and over the hill.

We are in a world today that appears to be in a bit of a mess, but it has been worse.  From my experience, the following has been some of the biggest weaknesses on the education side of the issue. In my classes, I use a method called POT.  POT is good. In the case of career training and workforce development, this means prepare (start pushing the boulder up hill), observe (your situation/weaknesses), and translate (put into action).  We need to stop blaming others and begin to work together, this means solid self reflection and being willing to offer a “hand-up” not a “hand-out”.  I never learned to fish, but I did learn how to take care of myself, family, and community in other ways.  If a short stocky kid can push boulders up and over the hill, so can anyone else.

Some of my first steps – Prepare   (I have provided links to training programs that seem to be on-point).

Reading / Writing Issues

Reading/ Writing – If you have a problem reading and writing – get help.  When I was 16 yrs old there was no online education that was visual now there are a lot of programs.  I might recommend the following: Ready, Set, Read!  –  This is a class for teachers that helps teach others to read.  This will help identify issues and challenges.

Reading – If you need to speed up your reading, Try Merrill Ream Speed Reading.

Start a Introduction to Journaling.

Reading/Writing/and Speaking – Start a Blogging and Podcasting for Beginners.

Math

Math Skills- Try the Math Refresher Course.

Resume and Job Search
Try the Resume Writing Workshop.

Job Search – Try Twelve Steps to a Successful Job Search.

Read
In this climate, I would suggest reading some of the classics like 1984, Fahrenheit 451, Hitchhikers Guide the Galaxy, Gulliver’s Travels, and any book written by Mark Levin, Bill O’Reilly, or Mark Twain (others).   If you have a reading problem like I did, I would start with comic books, reading out loud, and any book about the Knights of the Round Table.  This is where I started when I was in college.  If you have a reading problem, you may want to look into public speaking and debate.  You may find this is a strength and now there are lots of audio books.

Note: I did not recommend any inspirational authors – inspiration comes from faith, yourself, and family.  Start looking in the mirror and take a hard look at yourself. You can do it.

If you are past this issue and need training in a workforce development career – I would recommend trying 360 Training.

I know this is a bit off topic – but please bare with me.  The next article will focus on Preparing Study Habits/Learning/ Supporting Yourself and than an introduction to Observe. Observe will be more about learning about YOU/Yourself.

Safe Journey!

Second Thought – A book I would recommend reading.