Green Collar Jobs for Veterans

After seeing the world and serving our country in a war overseas, some returning service men and women may feel a need to help our country in a new way. Starting a job that helps our country reduce its energy consumption and save the planet may be the answer. If you’re looking for a new career that helps our country make less of an impact on the environment, there are a few resources at your disposal.

• Veterans Green Jobs
This organization is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the country that helps train and place veterans in jobs or businesses that conserve natural resources and benefit the environment. They support returning veterans through a number of programs. Some of their most popular placements include:
- The Go Green Warehouse, where veterans and the public can buy, sell and trade new, used and surplus home improvement or building supplies.
- The Green Corps, a collaborative initiative that empowers and trains veterans while doing necessary conservation work on public lands.
- Income-Qualified Weatherization program, a Colorado based program that provides weatherization to low income families, helping to save them money, make their home safer and lower their carbon footprint.
You can learn all about Veterans Green Jobs programs and job opportunities at the website, VetransGreenJobs.org.

• Troops to Energy Jobs
Like the name says, this program, created by five of the nations largest energy company, helps train and facilitate veterans in energy careers. They work with the federal government along with local community colleges and unions to get veterans into accelerated training programs and placed in jobs. To see what opportunities are available in your area, you can check out the Troops to Energy Jobs section of CEWD.org.

• Solar by Soldiers
This is a small program created by Tipping Point Renewable Energy that specifically hires and trains veterans to work in their solar and efficiency programs. They install solar panels for customers that reduces our dependence on energy from oil. You can find out everything you want to know about this Ohio based company at Tipenenergy.com/Solar-By-Soldiers.

• Green Jobs 4 Vets
This is a small Massachusetts based program not only trains and places veterans in energy and weatherization jobs, but also has opportunities for positions in hazardous materials removal, green construction and energy audits. Their website, with links to all their programs and job leads can be found at GreenJobs4Vets.us

If a new green career isn’t one you’ve considered before, please do. It is one of the most rewarding ways to work and continue to do good in the world for today and future generations. This nation is grateful for the services our veterans have provided and there are resources available to serve them in return.

Photo credits: Fort Dix solar panels by U.S. Army Environmental Command/flickr; Windmill Farm by Kumaravel/flickr

Kenny Alvarez is an education counselor to veterans and also writes for a military education site which explores all the college education benefits to veterans and their dependents; for example, check out this information on Marines tuition assistance.