Green Jobs for Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans

November 10, 11:14 PMBay Area Green Careers ExaminerMichal Lenchner

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  Photos provided by Swords to Plowshares

The Department of Labor distributed $7.5 million in employment and training grants back in July 2009 designated to help Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans obtain green jobs.

Swords to Plowshares, a San Francisco Bay Area veteran service agency, is one of seventeen recipients nationwide and was awarded $300,000 to help Bay Area Iraq and Afghanistan veterans train for employment in the green industry.

Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based, non-profit organization, that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, housing and legal assistance to veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area to help them rebuild their lives. The organization promotes and protects the rights of veterans through advocacy, public education and partnerships with local, state, and national entities.

Swords to Plowshares employment and training services help ease veteran’s transition from active duty military service into civilian jobs. The organization also gives one-on-one counseling regarding employment and/or training to ensure that veterans are pursuing careers that fit with their skills and interests. In addition to training programs, the organization is working with local green employers to place trained veterans into positions in the green workforce.

Training and Certification programs are available in the following areas:
o Solar panel installation (level 1 and 2)
o Weatherization

Since July, Swords to Plowshares has established a partnership with San Jose City College to offer the Green Job Training Program. Veterans who qualify and served after September 11, 2001 can obtain the training at no cost.

Details: The PV Solar installation and NABCEP certification Training Program at San Jose City College begins January 19th, 2010 and will end March 13th, 2010. The training lasts 8 weeks and leads to the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP) certification. This certification is nationally recognized and will qualify graduates for employment in the growing green economy. Enrollment is currently open.

Two orientation sessions are scheduled. Pre-enrollment is required:

DATE: November 16, 2009, 6:30 pm
LOCATION: San Jose City College, Room: TBA - Call for room
SEATING IS LIMITED - Only for US Military Veterans separated after 9-11-2001
CONTACT: Anthony Chandler; achandler@stp-sf.org tel.: 415-558-8870 ext. 202

Solar Installer Level 1
This course is intended to introduce a potential PV installer to the important aspects of selecting a good site for a PV system and the basics of PV system components. This class will touch on both battery based (stand alone) systems and utility-interactive (grid tied) systems. Combines a lecture and a lab environment that offers the opportunity to use equipment.

Lecture and Lab Topics:
o Markets and applications for different types of PV systems
o Electricity basics
o Conducting a site assessment
o The important role of energy efficiency
o Characteristics of PV system components and component selection
o Basic component sizing: an introduction to system design
o Working safely with photovoltaic
o Economics of PV
o Introduction to conduit bending
o AC/DC
o Lab Work on Site
o Filed installation

Solar Installer Level 2
Prerequisites: Solar Installer Level 1
This class covers system design, wiring, assembly of different mounting systems, stringing modules, and how to size major components for both batteries based and utility-interactive PV systems.

Lecture and Lab Topics:

o Load Analysis: Quantifying electrical load through multiple means
o Estimating sizing requirements for major components for both stand alone and utility-interactive systems
o Quick testing and wiring modules
o Assembling modules and support structures
o Determining design currents for PV electrical circuits
o Inverter String Sizing
o Working Safely with PV Systems
o Introduction to National Electric Code Article 690

Weatherization classes
Weatherization means making cost-effective, energy-efficient improvements and upgrades in the home, in an effort to reduce energy usage while improving the comfort of the home environment year round.

Tpoics include:

o Insulation in Attics and Walls
o Furnace Replacement
o Furnace Safety Testing
o Refrigerator Replacement
o Sealing Air Leaks
o Compact Fluorescent Light Bulbs (CFL)
o Energy Audit
o Storm Windows and Doors
o Energy Conservation Information

Resource: Information provided by Colleen Corliss, Communications Manager, Swords to Plowshares, San Francisco, CA.

Crossroad image from green.sympatico.msn.ca    

 JOB LEADS, TRAINING and SERVICES for Veterans

1. Veterans Green Jobs is a resource providing green jobs education and career development opportunities for military veterans. Its mission is to empower and support veterans to lead America’s transition to energy independence, ecological restoration, community renewal, and economic prosperity.
Click here for green jobs resources and information.

2. Green Collar Vets is a nationwide organization that promotes operations at a grass roots level in the local communities to support their veterans and their local emerging Green industries.
The organization's mission is to coordinate skill development, education and employment opportunities in emerging Green Industries for transitioning military veterans.

3. California Department of Veteran Affairs job resources.

Send me feedback, Green career tips, training suggestions or job openings and I will share them.

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