From the outbox of Meyer’s inbox:
Let’s add up all the cool things about this story: high school students learning skills + eco-friendly jobs + saving energy costs for local governments = a win all around. Read the story below and check out the video from KIVI TV
TREASURE VALLEY YOUTH LEARN GREEN JOBS
Nampa’s Centennial Job Corps Civilian Conservation Center’s partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Department of Agriculture allows close to 300 students learn skills for echo-friendly jobs.
Brandon Brown, 25, graduated Friday and is about to begin his career in a specialized trade that’s “green-friendly.” Certified in electrical trade, he rewires buildings so they use less energy by using recycled material.
“I never expected to learn as much as I have,” Brown said. “Learning (about) new products coming out into the market is a new way of doing things where we’re leaving less of a footprint.”
Brown has already used his skills to replace light fixtures in the Center’s school gym, making it 30% brighter than before and saving the school about $800 a year.
Brown is one of 300 students who earn their GED and became certified in “green” jobs. Green-collar work is backed by teachers, students, and lawmakers to be the next wave for job opportunity.
“(Green skill work) is the sweet spot with new training efforts on people who are qualified and motivated to compete for these jobs in the future,” said Idaho Congressman Walt Minnick. Idaho is one of eighteen states with this skill training. Congressman Minnick hopes the program will expand with another facility in northern Idaho by next fiscal year.
