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Truckee Tahoe youth get inside track on 114,000 new green jobs

Betony Jones/Community submitted photo
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TRUCKEE and#8212; According to a study performed by the Natural Resource Defense Council, as many as 114,000 new green jobs may be created in California by the end of 2010. California Green Jobs Corps, a free program for Truckee/North Lake Tahoe youth age 18-24, aims to help youth pursue some of those 114,000 new green careers.

and#8220;We want youth to get excited about green jobs,and#8221; said Brent Rubey, Green Job Corps education director. and#8220;Green Jobs Corps participants get hands-on experience in solar energy, energy auditing, green building, sustainable forestry, landscape restoration, bio-fuels and organic agriculture. At the end of the two-month program, we help them pursue the green career in which they are most interested.and#8221;

The program will launch in June 4 and continue through July 30. Interested local youth can visit an information booth at the Sierra College Career Exploration Day, Wednesday, May 5, 5-6:30 p.m.



and#8220;We are reaching out to local businesses and labor and community organizations to partner on this program to give participants hands-on training,and#8221; said Betony Jones, sustainability director for the local program. and#8220;By supporting local youth in their pursuit of green careers, this community can position itself to capitalize on the projected growth in the green economy.and#8221;

The program is free to all participants and includes two evening training sessions a week with field sessions every Friday. Participants will also receive training in essential job skills, environmental stewardship, civic responsibility, community service, and green literacy.



and#8220;Green Job Corps youth will also complete an energy auditing internship, which will give them the inside track on one of the fastest growing careers in the country,and#8221; said Rubey.

At the end of the program, participants will receive guidance and assistance in pursuing a green career. Jason Buckingham, director of Golden Sierra Job Training Agency explains: and#8220;Apprenticeships, on-the-job training, vocational certificate programs, or two to four-year college programs are all possibilities for Green Jobs Corps youth. We will help connect them with the path that is right for them.and#8221;

The California Green Jobs Corps is a state-sponsored pilot program funded by federal economic stimulus funds. The local partnership between Fourth Sector Strategies, Golden Sierra Workforce Training Agency, and Sierra College. Statewide, 1500 youth will participate. For more information go to http://www.fourthsectorstrategies.com and click and#8220;California Green Jobs Corpsand#8221; in the projects section, and check out http://www.ruralgreenjobs.org for photos and descriptions of field experiences. Call (530) 587-3581 and ask for Brent Rubey.

and#8212; Submitted to the Sun via e-amil to aedgett@sierrasun.com


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