Our goal is to ensure that those men and women who have served our country with distinction and who are now interested in civilian careers that lessen our dependence on oil, or lessen the impact of toxins in our environment, have a guiding hand to find that job - and the additional support to be successful in it.  The end result will providea competent, professional workforce for the installation, operation, maintenance and management of green products and services across the country.

Green Collar Vets is a nationwide organization that promotes operations at a grass roots level. We believe in the power of local communities to support their own veterans' needs and opportunities, as well as their local emerging Green industries.


GREEN INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITIES

Solar & Wind Industries 
Geothermal Heat Pumps 
Radiant Heating Systems  
Rainwater Harvesting
Energy Efficiency Products & Retrofits

Green Building & Renovations 
Materials Reuse & Recycling
Cool Roof Systems
Home Energy Audits
 
Water Use Efficiency and Conservation
Organic Food Production
Structurally Insulated Panels
Green Landscaping  & Xeriscaping
Sustainable  Community & Transportation Planning    
                  

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THE MILITARY VETERAN NEED:
According to a 2008 RAND National Defense Research Institute Study, 175,000  servicemen and women entered the civilian labor market in 2006.  The same year, 110,000 Reservists returned home from periods of active-duty service and resumed their civilian careers.  

Newly-separating veterans face significant challenges returning to civilian life and securing meaningful employment that will support themselves and their families.  The Veterans Administration (VA) is working closely with other government partners and private-sector organizations to stem the alarming unemployment rate among young  veterans.  Unemployment among veterans age 20-24 is about 15%, or roughly three times what it is overall in our economy,   The 4.6% increase in veteran youth unemployment between 2003 and 2005 is worrisome since it raises the possibility that young veterans are having difficulty transitioning to civilian jobs following deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan.  At the same time, nonveteran youth unemployment decreased by 1.9 percentage points.

Unemployment and underemployment were identified as the second-most critical concern among this work group.  Particularly for younger veterans, many military occupational specialties during wartime are not transferable to the civilian sector – weapons specialists and munitions handlers, door gunners on helicopters, infantrymen.  Many of the military occupations of younger veterans that are transferable are on the lower end of the wage scale – warehousemen, clerical, food service, health care assistants, or lower level workers with limited experience. In many markets, veterans may be competing for rare employment opportunities with civilians who have more training, educational attainment or more personal contact with potential employers.  

THE GREEN BUSINESS NEED:
The business of green is based on the reality that our planet, and specifically our country, is using up natural resources faster than can be replaced.  Clean water, clean air, affordable energy are concerns that every city and state face daily.  We are a nation of problem solvers and pioneers.  It is what makes this nation strong.  The rapidly growing “green” market place based on people, planet, and profit is proof of that.

RAPID GROWTH   The American Solar Energy Society 2007 Job Report estimates that in 2006 alone, renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) were responsible for $970 billion in industry revenues and 8.5 million jobs.  This number will grow exponentially as our nation commits itself to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency.  Investment in RE is soaring, according to the United Nations' annual "Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investment" report.  The UN report calculates global investment capital flows into renewable energy companies reached $100 billion last year.

LABOR SHORTAGE   At the same time, America’s growing green economy faces a looming labor shortage in sectors like manufacturing, construction and installation.  The National Renewable Energy Lab has identified a shortage of skills and training as a leading barrier to renewable energy and energy efficiency growth.  This includes lack in the workforce of adequate scientific, technical, and manufacturing skills required for EE/RE development; lack of reliable installation, maintenance, and inspection services; and failure of the educational system to provide adequate training in new technologies. 

THE GREEN COLLAR VET INITIATIVE
Green Collar Vets sees the opportunity to link this rapidly-growing, multi-faceted Industry that is based on making the world a better place, with a group of multi-skilled individuals who have proven their desire to make the world a safer place.  It seems a natural marriage. 

We focus on linking military veterans with green collar career opportunities and offer additional community support to assure their success.  In the coming years, many of the actions that will be taken to stabilize the climate will also offer local, regional and national benefits.  One such benefit is the opportunity to create jobs that are cost-sensitive to the environment, to economics, and to society.  Jobs that contribute to a family's prosperity, health, and culture also benefit the community.  When the jobs provide eco-friendly outcomes, then all benefit.

It is often difficult to find within an existing private-sector workforce, quality individuals ready to change the status quo and embrace this emerging people, planet, and profit economy.  The men and women of our military represent a group that is highly skilled in the business of adaptability and has already demonstrated their passion to make this world safe.  It is a logical next step to provide them with the skills and knowledge to become a part of an industry that has evolved to make this world a better place.  The men and women placed into these industries can now be the ones who bring this business of green mainstream. 

We accept donations by mail.  Your contributions are appreciated.
Currently, your donations are applied to the development of our new website, which will allow military personnel to research various green careers, post resumes, and search job listings.
Mail to: Green Collar Vets, P.O. Box 7708, Fort Worth, TX 76111
   Green Collar Vets has applied for status as a 501(c)3 Nonprofit.