The Green Mechanical Council announced its
partnership with the
Veterans Green-Jobs Alliance and
Bioliberty. The partners will be
launching the first of three national pilot projects in Louisiana to develop
"green" education and training programs for U.S. military service
veterans.
“Green jobs” are those in
the rapidly emerging fields of renewable energy, green building technologies, sustainable
resource management and a variety of other fields emphasizing environmental,
economic and social sustainability.
A unique feature has been
added to the Louisiana pilot project ― it includes special emphasis on training
in disaster preparedness, relief and rebuilding while integrating renewable
energy systems, such as biodiesel production.
Veteran
participants receive intensive six- to nine-month training leading to
certification in their chosen field. The Veterans Green-Jobs Alliance will
provide support services during and after the program including health, career
and employment networking.
Outstanding participants
will be invited to serve as team leaders in second-year training programs that
are planned in six to 12 additional sites around the country.
In Louisiana, trainees will
both work and live at facilities rehabilitated in the Lower Ninth Ward
Community Center. This site will provide on-the-job training in green
building and historic building restoration. The facilities being constructed
and renovated will incorporate a range of renewable energy features including
solar water heating systems, photovoltaic systems, local biodiesel production,
and geothermal heating and cooling systems.
The Green Mechanical Council regards this is as “a
perfect addition” to the Green Job Corps project launched September 2008 in
conjunction with its strategic partner the International Green Energy Council.
Ralph Avallone from the International Green Energy Council
stated, "Our Nation must take advantage of this new green economy, because
if we fail, America will have squandered a huge opportunity to both save our
environment for future generations as well as an opportunity for creating
millions of new jobs in this new ‘green’ world."
