green-jobs

Every day, millions of people clean out their closets, attics and basements. Instead of throwing out the things you no longer need, give them to Goodwill, and we will sell or recycle them. It’s a cycle that extends the life of usable clothing and other goods and earns revenue for Goodwill programs that benefit thousands of people right here in West Michigan.

At Goodwill Industries, our goal is to sustain a triple bottom line of employment services and jobs for people, a strong financial position, and sound environmental practices. Green jobs are the perfect match to fulfilling this objective.

What is a Goodwill green collar job?

A green collar job is an unskilled or skilled job in an environmentally conscious industry that promotes sustainable practices and the use of renewable resources.

Principles of Goodwill green collar jobs:

  • Reduce waste, pollution, energy use, and other environmental risks in an environmentally conscious industry
  • Provide high enough wages and benefits to support an individual and contribute to the support of a family
  • Provide opportunity to advance and build a career for many individuals

Goodwill green collar job categories:

  • Jobs that currently exist within Goodwill organizations
  • New job opportunities in a green industry

The green jobs revolution

The momentum of the green jobs revolution escalated recently partially due to new federal funding in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed ARRA into law, which is intended to preserve and create jobs, promote the nation’s economic recovery, and assist those impacted by the recession. Commonly called the Recovery Act, this legislation includes a variety of funding streams that will support green job opportunities.

As was recently announced by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration (DOLETA), the Recovery Act provides $750 million for a program of competitive grants for worker training and placement in high growth and emerging industries. Of the $750 million, $500 million is designated for projects that prepare workers for careers in energy efficiency and renewable energy sectors in accordance with the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 as amended to incorporate the Green Jobs Act of 2007.

There is a long way to go to realize the full potential of green jobs, but as Michigan begins implementing their green energy infrastructure plans, we can expect to see growth in these occupations. Goodwill is ready to engage, assist, and collaborate in job development, skills training, and job placement for green jobs.