What We Do

The VGA began as an inspired idea in 2006, and in 2008 was formally incorporated as a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization. Our first undertaking has been the establishment of three ‘pilot’ Veterans Green-Jobs Training Programs located in Colorado, Louisiana and Washington. VGA is poised to go national with Green-Jobs Training Programs in other states in 2009 and beyond.

Veterans Green-Jobs Training Programs

Our organization believes that veterans deserve meaningful pathways from military service into civilian life. With the high level of training they received in the military, their discipline and their motivation, veterans are well prepared to become leaders in the emerging green-collar jobs sector. At the same time, the VGA’s founders – many of them military veterans themselves – recognize that conventional education and training programs may not offer additional comprehensive services, such as physical and mental health, family support services, or career development, that are essential to veterans’ successful reintegration into civilian life.

Recognizing both these unique needs and opportunities, the VGA has formulated pilot Veterans Green-Jobs Training Programs integrating the best models available in adult education, the latest skills applicable to numerous green sector careers, and proven techniques for successful military personnel reintegration.

COLORADO
Homelake Veterans Center

The first Colorado Veterans Green-Jobs Training Program is being developed and implemented at the historic Homelake Veterans Center in Monte Vista, Colorado. The Homelake Veterans Center will be a residential program with a substantial focus on on-the-job (OJT) training models. Trainees will take part in the renovation and green ‘retro-fitting’ of the historic Homelake Veterans Center, originally built to serve veterans of the American Civil and Spanish-American Wars. In addition to learning green building and renovation skills, veterans will participate in teams conducting energy audits, efficiency upgrades and weatherization services for low-income families in the area as part of a renewable energy and energy efficiency training component.

Veterans Green-Job Training Programs at Homelake will begin in May 2009 and September 2009, for a duration of 1 year. Trainees will receive college credit through local community colleges. The Southwest Conservation Corps and local community colleges serve as key partners in this Green-Jobs Training Program.

LOUISIANA
9th Ward Village Veterans Camp

The first Louisiana Veterans Green-Jobs Training Program will be based
in the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans, one of the areas hit hardest by
Katrina, which continues to struggle with rebuilding. Building on the
existing Delgado Community College First Responder training
certificate, this Green-Jobs Training Program will formulate a
Community Disaster Preparedness Response Coordinator Training Program.
Green building/re-building and renewable energy curricula will be
offered as second and third certificate options.

Similar to the Colorado program, the New Orleans program is
residential and will incorporate on-the-job training. A special
component of this program will be its close partnerships with local
community organizations to indentify community priorities for re-
building this neighborhood. The New Orleans program will be a nine-
month program starting in September 2009.

WASHINGTON
Veterans Conservation Corps

The Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC) – a key partner of the VGA – is an established program hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs in Olympia Washington. Participating veterans attend regular day or evening community college classes four days per week and participate in hands-on conservation service projects 3-4 days per month. The VGA will expand existing VCC programs by both adding curricula to the existing community college delivery model (which will be available through at least seven different colleges) and implementing small business mentorship and development assistance.

VCC trainees will focus on outdoor conservation, natural resource management, green building, historic building renovation, energy efficiency and renewable energy – as well as a small business mentorship and development program. This is a non-residential program, nine-month program beginning in September 2009.

Please check back frequently for information on how to apply for Veterans Green-Jobs Training Programs.

Our Mission

The Veterans Green-Jobs Alliance (VGA) 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, VGA seeks to provide a wide range of complimentary resources to assist veterans in post-war civilian reintegration. VGA will also link trained veterans to green businesses in search of new leaders through a national Green-Jobs Clearinghouse.

The VGA 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 VGA’s work is restorative to our veterans, our economy and our planet.

Please check our site often for new developments.