Apr 20, 2009 4:30 pm US/Central
More 'Green' Job Training For Unemployed
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
The number of people looking for work in Illinois is at its highest level since the 1980s. Right now, 596,000 people are unemployed here – more than 9 percent of our workforce.
But thanks to stimulus money, some of those people may be able to get "green" jobs.
CBS 2's Dorothy Tucker reports on just what those jobs are, and if you could qualify to land one.
Cleophus Lee, program director of the North Lawndale Employment network, which trains people for green jobs, says they're not necessarily new jobs. Many are traditional blue collar jobs with an environmental twist, like installing solar panels or weatherizing homes.
"For example, to do solar panels an individual has an electrician background would be able to take the skills and add solar training and be more marketable," Lee said.
White collar jobs can also fall under the green category. That's what some panelist talked about at a summit Monday that was sponsored by the Chicago Urban League and the Illinois Environmental Council. They discussed downtown businesses that are looking to become more energy efficient and need green workers to help them.
"They have architects who design or redesign the buildings. There may be people who work, decide which system is right for different properties," said Charles Jackson of the Illinois Environmental Council.
A number of different types of companies look for people with "green" training – construction companies that do weatherization work, demolition, solar panel companies and more.
So where can you get the training for "green" jobs?
Experts say there are some companies that offer on-the-job training. You'll also find "green" classes at some community colleges, and there are non-profit organizations that will train you, too.
The
Chicago Urban League and the
Illinois Environmental Council are good places to start your search.
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