Veterans: Leaders in the New Green Economy

Veterans Green Jobs (VGJ) was founded on the belief that military service veterans are one of the most valuable leadership resources available to our country in these challenging times. With their demonstrated discipline, commitment and training in a wide variety of skills, veterans are ideally suited to become leaders in rapidly growing ‘green’ jobs sectors—renewable energy, energy efficiency, green building, sustainable resource management, and disaster preparedness, response and rebuilding. The VGJ is creating a future in which veterans—allied with a broad coalition of public and private organizations—build a new foundation for America’s energy independence, ecological sustainability and economic security.

Green-Collar Jobs

What is “green-collar?” Van Jones, of Oakland’s Green For All has described the green-collar movement as an environmental movement that is not about “Birkenstocks and tofu;” it is not an environmentalism for those “who can afford a hybrid, who can afford to put solar panels on their second home.”

The green-collar movement is about training and supporting a highly skilled sustainable technology workforce. Green-collar jobs include renewable energy development, energy efficiency, sustainable building and agriculture, and ecosystem restoration. These jobs have the potential to create employment opportunities that pay well, cannot be outsourced (having a more secure future), are meaningful, and often lead to opportunities for self-employment.

We believe that veterans, due to the high level of training received in the military, their discipline, and their motivation, deserve meaningful pathways from service into the green-collar economy. Not only is this restorative to our planet, it is restorative for veterans, and it responds to a snowballing market demand for skilled environmental technology workers.

Program Strategy

Many studies have shown that civilian reintegration is most successful for veterans in settings that involve substantial contact with the natural world; and through work that has value for both the individual and his or her community. "Knowing this, the VGJ is launching Veterans Green-Jobs Training Programs that involve veterans in meaningful and therapeutic activities and foster local, regional, and statewide economies in Colorado, Louisiana and Washington. (Please see What We Do for more information.)"

Currently the VGJ is pursuing four types of programming:

1. Community College Programs

Modeled after the highly successful Washington Veterans’ Restoration Corps, this training model partners with community colleges to offer a series of curricula in green job fields where strong employment opportunities already exist. Both day and evening programs will be offered. The fields of study include:

* Green Building
* Renewable Energy
* Energy Efficiency
* Sustainable Agriculture
* Sustainable Forestry
* Land Stabilization and Restoration
* Disaster Relief/Preparedness/First Responder

Community college programs are structured so veterans may apply their GI Benefits for both educational and living expenses as they participate in the Green-Jobs Training Programs.

2. Residential Educational Programs

In addition to the educational services offered through community college partnerships, residential Green-Jobs Training Programs will make available complimentary support services for working with PTSD, health services, and other forms of assistance that might otherwise be difficult for veterans to obtain. The residential programs are beneficial for veterans who struggle with substance abuse or have special physical needs, such as those who are rehabilitating from disabling injuries.

3. Conservation Corps

Modeled on the highly successful Washington Veterans’ Conservation Corps and in relationship with the nationally acclaimed Southwest Conservation Corps and Youth Conservation Corps, the VGJ is developing a National Veterans’ Conservation Corps to connect veterans to seasonal outdoors work in their local bioregion. Activities may include stream restoration, fire mitigation, etc. This program offers opportunities for veterans to work with each other, be out “in nature,” and make a direct positive impact on their communities.

4. Employment Clearinghouse and Networking

Linking trained veterans with green-jobs providers and supporting their careers in the green economy over the long haul is a top priority for the VGJ. Many employers recognize the substantial benefits of hiring veterans, with their deep understanding of discipline, leadership and teamwork. Therefore, the VGJ is establishing a national Veterans Green-Jobs Clearinghouse as well as formal and informal partnerships with potential green employers in order to connect returning veterans to the many emerging opportunities in green-collar fields.

Veterans Green Jobs is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nongovernmental organization.

Our Mission

Veterans Green Jobs (VGJ) provides training opportunities for military veterans in the emerging green-collar jobs sector. Veterans Green-Jobs Training Programs across the nation will incorporate green-collar college degree programs, intensive residential training programs and veterans’ restoration corps. In addition, VGJ seeks to provide a wide range of complimentary resources to assist veterans in post-war civilian reintegration. VGJ will also link trained veterans to green businesses in search of new leaders through a national Green-Jobs Clearinghouse.

The VGJ addresses three primary needs:

• Military veterans' need for meaningful, restorative careers

• Our country's need for a green-collar workforce

• Veterans' and veterans organizations' needs for supporting post-war civilian reintegration

By supporting both veterans and the development of a green economy, the VGJ’s work is restorative to our veterans, our economy and our planet.

Please check our site often for new developments.