Part 2: Interview with Oakland author Rub茅n Lizardo: Pathways out of Poverty
- October 23, 2010
Recently this spot highlighted a newly released report "Pathways out of Poverty for Vulnerable Californians" by Oakland based PolicyLink, a national research and advocacy institute working to advance economic and social equity. The new report focuses on California community college programs working to train young people to transition into much needed future middle-skilled infrastructure jobs. The enormous community benefits of a trained workforce for the new economy, one that includes a "green jobs" future that contributes to California's environmental sustainability, is a crucial component to restoring the state's economic vitality.
Earlier this week I had the opportunity to interview Rubén Lizardo, Associate Director at PolicyLink, who along with Victor Rubin, Vice President for Research there, are co-authors of the report. This is Part 2 of that interview. Part 1, immediately precedes this post.
MG: A strong underlying component in the report is that green technologies and their future visions are integral to California’s economic future. Do you think this frame of mind would be different if the nation’s economy were better?
RL: No. I think the climate, environmental, and sustainability challenges that we face as a state and nation must be resolved whether we are in a down or an up economy. And in fact, if the economy were better, some of our challenges, say reliance on personal automobiles versus more fuel efficient and less polluting forms of transportation (mass transit, buses, biking, etc.) [may] not feel as urgent—because more Americans could afford to use the less green mode. The same goes for energy we use to keep the lights on, the temperature in our buildings regulated, or to run the equipment in our buildings. The technological changes underway in the diverse infrastructure sectors we highlight will only deepen, because [of] the sustainability and the profitability concerns implied in this question.
MG: Public investment in the state’s infrastructure is an idea at the forefront of the state’s healthy future; this is an idea the Pathways report stresses. Do you see any chance for erosion of that mindset if or when the economy gets a lift and turns around? Meaning, will infrastructure jobs still be considered by goal-oriented students?
RL: Well, as stated, we will continue to need to address our basic infrastructure needs -- whether the economy gets better or not. If a bridge collapses or a gas pipelines fails, we must address the immediate catastrophic needs, then restore the basic infrastructure. In our report we point [out] that prior to the President’s use of infrastructure as a recovery strategy, in 2006 Californians approved $43 B in bonds for needed infrastructure. So it is clear that both the federal and state level governments, and more importantly voters, get the need for sustained investment in this very essential public good.
As for the second question, the extent to which goal-oriented students pursue careers in the infrastructure arena depends a lot on the information they receive about the benefits. Not just in the entry and middle skill occupations, but in the up-market as well. We highlight PG&E’s PowerPathway Program, which is successfully preparing vulnerable Californians for careers as electrical line workers. That is a great starting place for young women and men who need a second education pathway. At the same time, we know (and are in support of) PG&E’s partnership with CSU East Bay to recruit recent graduates of engineering schools for a one-year Post-B.A. training program that prepares young Californians for the 1000 power engineer positions the company estimates they will need to hire to upgrade their power grid.
MG: Thank you Rubén. This was a wonderful opportunity to gather valuable insight on this topic. I appreciate your time and expertise.
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