Green Jobs Offer Youth A Way Out Of Poverty

Money for college and the hope of a good-paying job after graduation are two things that are difficult for today’s youth to find.

Higher education is more expensive than ever, while federal assistance through Pell Grants and subsidized loans is under attack in Washington. Yet, say the experts at The Corps Network (TCN), the hope of a satisfying career has not yet been extinguished in America.

According to TCN, demonstrating how to become part of the emerging green workforce is the best way to give disadvantaged youth a fighting chance in today’s uncertain economy.

With funding from The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, The Corps Network has released a new publication that illustrates how to prepare young people for green jobs, postsecondary education, and careers in a growing green economy titled, A Green Career Pathways Framework: Postsecondary and Employment Success for Low-Income, Disconnected Youth.

The full guide can be downloaded free of charge by clicking here.

The publication was designed to explore ways in which the emerging green economy can offer a pathway out of poverty for low-income young people, many of whom have disengaged from school and are struggling to find a way into the economic mainstream. It also offers a framework and guidance to youth programs about how to work with employers and postsecondary partners to build “on-ramps” to postsecondary technical training programs and entry to green career paths.

“Navigating the world of green jobs and figuring out how to get young people prepared and placed in these jobs has been a challenge,” said Sally Prouty, President and CEO of The Corps Network. “We hope that this publication will make it easier for employers, postsecondary institutions and youth programs to work together to establish green career pathways that build a skilled workforce that benefits local economies, families, and the environment.”

The publication suggests that participation in state-run service or conservation corps can be a life-altering event for low-income youth. There are currently 158 corps operating in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Corps annually enroll more than 33,000 young men and women in service, and mobilize approximately 265,000 community volunteers every year. Together, these motivated Corpsmembers generate 15.3 million hours of service every year.

Also Check Out:
Youth Rally Against Global Warming
Is Your Job Killing You?
Green Work Spaces

Image Credit: Flickr – linh.m.do

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

KS G.

12:17AM PST on Feb 25, 2012

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Dana W.

8:45AM PDT on Sep 30, 2011

Thanks for the information, although I feel that in this shrinking economy many people of all ages should be able to utilize this information, not just young people.

Youssef A.

1:04PM PDT on Sep 6, 2011

May the Lord God bless your efforts & make this project successful!
"Do not Corrupt the earth..." (Quran 7:56)

Von C.

10:15AM PDT on Jul 30, 2011

Exactly how is a volunteer job supposed to pay off your college debt or help you save money for school?

Ameer T.

9:16AM PDT on Jul 30, 2011

surprisingly a decade ago the promise of college education, a good job and a set life were being offered for going adn fighting in Iraq, Afghanistan or Pakistan. Guess that didn't work too well.

Caitlin F.

4:20AM PDT on Jul 30, 2011

glad to hear thanks

Debra V.

7:55AM PDT on Jul 29, 2011

Thanks for sharing. This really looks good. I am pleased our young generation has a chance at fulfilling jobs to help the planet. I have a nephew who is a park ranger, a niece going into soil conservation and another nephew going to become a conservation officer. I am so proud of them working to protect the planet and wildlife.

Alice B.

6:17AM PDT on Jul 29, 2011

Posted this to my Facebook - excellent.

Brenda T.

3:40AM PDT on Jul 29, 2011

I hope this project is a great success!

Jennifer C.

10:18PM PDT on Jul 28, 2011

Thanks for this article.