As interest in renewables grows, worker demand is high

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http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/news/2008/04/news04-13-08-03.shtml

April 13, 2008

As interest in renewables grows, worker demand is high

Politicians are lagging, claims one worker

By DIANE DIETZ
The (Eugene) Register-Guard

EUGENE (AP) — Thomas Brex is on top of the world now that he’s on the roof at a massive construction project at Goodpasture Island Road.

He sought a purposeful career in renewable energy. He enrolled in the two-year energy program at Lane Community College and bam, before he could finish his second term he was snapped up by Advanced Energy Systems, a commercial solar energy company that installs massive photo voltaic arrays.

“I was beyond lucky. I was incredibly lucky,” Brex, 33, said while high atop Kendall Toyota’s upcoming dealership and showroom building. “I’ve been really happy with my life lately and a lot of it has to do with this company.”

Brex is a beneficiary of the great green job machine that’s created at least 50 new positions in Lane County over the past five years.