Green job training is serious investment
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Before last month, Nate Thomas was not aware that a so-called green job could be in his future. He didn't even know what that meant.
Now he talks about the environment when he returns to Homewood from his job-training sessions Downtown, and he gets mixed reactions from family and neighbors.
"Some people might blow you off," he said, "but..."
His classmate, Stewart Townsend, finished the sentence: "It's giving us more positive things for our lives. It's been a good experience since day one."
Mr. Thomas and Mr. Townsend are among five young men, ages 18 to 21, who anticipate starting jobs May 16 in Mount Washington's Emerald View Park. They will be doing trail work for the Mount Washington Community Development Corp., but they will be equipped with more than hiking shoes and trail tools.
Through the Green Jobs Training Program -- a collaboration of the United Steelworkers, the A. Philip Randolph Institute and GTECH Strategies -- they and 18 other men and women, one-third of whom have been in jail or prison, are receiving 30 hours of training in a number of certification programs. The programs include federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration certification; certification in hazardous waste operations and emergency response; weatherization and energy auditing; mold remediation; and greenhouse gas reduction.
"That's a great portfolio to take to an employer," said trainer Stacy Robinson, who completed the training in an earlier class. "The potential for green job opportunities is huge, and we want these students to be ready, not left behind."
In addition to the certifications, the students will get a raft of "life skills" in areas such as conflict resolution, time management, human rights and financial literacy. Instruction in remedial math and reading and information about green-industry opportunities also are provided.
First Published May 9, 2011 12:00 am
