A new partnership has formed between Oakland-based GRID Alternatives, a a non-profit solar installer, and Veterans Greens Jobs, a non-profit organization that helps veterans find work in the green economic sector. GRID Alternatives specializes in installing solar panels for low-income families and using volunteers to do it. Both organizations aim to give veterans training and work experience related to solar panel instillation.
“Veterans Green Jobs has been a great partner for us in Colorado from the get-go, connecting us with veteran volunteers and providing us with all manner of logistical support,” said Erica Mackie, CEO and co-founder of GRID Alternatives. “This is a great opportunity for both of our organizations to advance our shared goal of promoting green energy and increasing green employment for people who need it most.”
After a successful pilot project last Fall, it’s clear that this joint operation will help the one million veterans projected to leave the military between 2011 and 2016. Danny Moore, an Army veteran and volunteer during the pilot, gained experience installing rails, laying out solar arrays, wiring, and installing junction boxes. “My schooling has set me up for this, but I need more than the schoolhouse knowledge,” Danny said.
For more information about the project and the organizations involved, check out the home pages for Veteran Green Jobs and GRID Alternatives.
I understand the priority may be for jobless or newly transitioning Veterans to get into solid jobs that offer training and experience in this field.
How can a seasoned professional like me get into this kind of work? I am not thinking of volunteering right now, but a change in careers may be nice. I have a BS degree and a decent paying job with good security. I know there are others that may feel trapped in their careers as well. I would love to move into a green job that promotes life changing experiences, with respectable pay as well.
I am sure there are other Veterans like me that are already experienced in our own fields and would love to be included in such programs like this. Going back to my first comment, would such a program help someone like me like it is intended to help other Veterans with more need?